Has anyone seen Tom Drum?
C. J. Sears | 11/08/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Methadones are far from the first punk band to take a turn at an album of cover tunes. Bands such as Me First and the Gimme Gimmes or Manic Hispanic have taken a sort of a slapstick approach and as a result come off as being a bit insincere. Other artists (The Ramones, Matthew Sweet, Nanoo Fonzarelli) seem to have a more sincere affinity for the songs they are covering and attempt to pay tribute while also being interpretive. The Methadones have taken the latter approach and it makes for a good listen. So while their version of "He's a Whore" may never match Cheap Trick's original, it's obvious that the Methadones love the song, love playing it and have recorded a version that is faithful to the original. There are also a couple of songs (among them "Full Moon Turn My Head Around") that I love, have never heard before, and will be content to never know the original version. Sorry, Off Broadway. My only complaint is the inclusion of "Goodbye to You" which has nothing to do with the song itself but is in protest to the egomaniacal Patty Smyth who after several "Scandal" albums decided they should be "Patty Smyth and Scandal". You just don't do that to Scandal."
Power Pop. It didn't mean then what it means now.
A Wolf | USA | 10/05/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"4.5 stars.
This review is long overdue. The CD is 100% cover-tunes (and that is not a bad thing).
The song list is -
1. I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am!)- Gary Glitter
2. Walking Out on Love - The Beat
3. Back of My Hand - The Jags
4. Welcome to the Working Week - Elvis Costello
5. I'm the Man - Joe Jackson
6. Into You - The Crash Street Kids
7. Full Moon Turn My Head Around - Off Broadway
8. Goodbye to You - Scandal
9. Out of Luck - The Pointed Sticks
10. Heart of the City - Nick Lowe
11. Starry Eyes - The Records
12. He's a Whore - Cheap Trick
This is a very eclectic gathering of songs, but they work. Many of the artists I was framiliar with, and other I was not (but I am going to be).
Truthfully, at first listen, I was unsure of this release. I am a long time Methadones fan and there were some differences between this release and their prior works. On the third listen, the clouds opened and the light shined down..... I just focused on this release alone, not comparing it to the original material ... and it rocks.
The production is different than previous work, in that Dan's vocals are brought forward in the mix, which is very cool. The playing is as always, killer. Mike S and Pete give the tight rhythm while Dan and Mike B trade lead and rhythm guitar. Then there is the fact that these are all covers - some people hate covers, some people love covers. I think that the choice of material shows the great many influences that make The Methadones as talented as they are.
All around, this is a great package - song choice, arrangements, playing, and the change in production.
Thanks guys."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1