MISFITS
Project 1950 (Misfits/Rykodisc)
Reviewed by Alan Wright

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The first CD release on Jerry Only's new Misfits imprint label (distributed by Ryko) is really only a Misfits album in name. I guess calling it "Jerry Only, Dez Cadena and Marky Ramone's Project 1950" wouldn't have sounded as cool, but that's really what it is. Only provides the bass playing and lead singing on a collection of (mostly) 1950s-era rock and roll and teen idol crooner covers, ably assisted by Dez Cadena (Redd Kross, Black Flag, DC3, etc) on guitar and vocals, and the infamous Marky Ramone on drums and piano. Guest vocalist Ronnie Spector (yes, THAT Ronnie Spector) adds some incredibly great backing vocals to their versions of "This Magic Moment" and "You Belong To Me," while producer John Cafiero adds doo-wop influenced backing vocals to a number of songs. Jimmy Destri of Blondie fame adds some cool keys to "Runaway" and "Great Balls Of Fire" and Mark Manion kicks out the sax on "Diana."

Really, this is a ton of fun and I'm a sucker for this punked-out take on these kind of songs. Also, in many ways it makes sense; anyone not hearing the major influence of '50s rock 'n' roll and Doo-wop on even the original Danzig-era Misfits material was living in denial. The version of "Monster Mash," previously released a few years ago on a single by the "American Psycho"/"Famous Monsters" period Misfits Mark II is even more kickin' here. The guitar sound is crunching, the drums are perfect, and Only's vocals are quite strong. Their hyper-charged versions of "Donna," "Dream Lover" and "Only Make Believe" are just a riot. While the running-time of this CD is rather short, it does come with a bonus DVD with live footage of them running through a number of the songs, plus Only and Cadena singing with their Japanese friends Balzac, and some other video goodies.

© 2003 - Alan Wright