Guitars, Drums, Tones, and Saxophones

Carry the Torch: A Tribute to Kid Dynamite

OK, let’s be frank; not many people, I assume, buy tribute records because they’re a huge fan of the artist being paid tribute. You buy the album because you like the bands (at least some of them) who are performing the covers, and maybe enjoy some of the originals. That’s more or less what brings me to this record. Prior to placing the order for this album, I was only familiar with Kid Dynamite’s Shorter, Faster, Louder, which I enjoyed. But I saw Broadway Calls and the Ergs! on the line-up of artists taking part, and I was sold.

And so now that this long-awaited 2xLP is available to the public, how does it stack up?

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We'll Inherit the Earth: A Tribute to the Replacements

Here we go, yet another tribute album. As per usual, the regular disclaimer about tribute records applies: the odds are, over the course of this disc, you will be filled with an uncontrollable urge to break out the original artist’s albums. In this case, you will most likely reach for your worn copy of Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash.

That’s not to say this is a bad effort, by any means. The album, like any good tribute album, emphasizes and throws into sharp focus the strength of the original material; despite being delivered in different (in some cases, radically so) styles, some with more success than others, the songs are still great.

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The Ergs! - Upstairs/Downstairs

The Ergs!, hailing from New Jersey, were one of the best pop-punk bands to arise in the 2000′s. After dropping two full-length albums, and a whole boatload of amazing EPs and 7″ records, they called it quits in late 2008. It was a pretty devastating blow to fans of quality pop-punk ’round the world.

Thankfully, as fans we still have their music. Their two LPs, Dorkrockcorkrod and Upstairs/Downstairs, as well as the Jersey’s Best Prancers EP and b-sides collection Hindsight is 20/20 My Friend, are essential listening for anyone who has an interest in what’s been happening in punk rock in this new millennium.

The album features the tight songwriting and competent playing that the band has perfected through heavy touring and numerous recordings. The subjects range from Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series of books, girls, the album Boston, MA by the Del Fuegos, bikes, girls, heartbreak, and Miles Davis. Many of the songs featured here are very short; “Boston, Mass” clocks in at about 45 seconds, and only three of the album’s songs breach the three-minute mark.

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The Ergs! - Hindsight is 20/20, My Friend

2008 is a sad year for fans of pop-punk the whole world over. Beloved New Jersey act, the Ergs!, have announced that, following their previous touring commitments and a trio of hometown shows, they will hang it up at the end of the year. The primary reason is that bassist Jeff would be leaving, and the Ergs! wouldn’t be the same if any member(s) of the Near-Sighted Three were to be replaced.

And so on this dismal note, the band leaves its fans with Hindsight is 20/20, My Friend as a farewell. The album is a 33-song compilation of their contributions to various comp albums and 7″ splits.

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