Huntingtons
file under ramones
This is the eighth Huntingtons CD to add to my collection, and I hear there's two more to follow within the next year! I get worn out just trying to comprehend this feat. The Huntingtons rock, and they rock hard.
This album could be called both a "tribute album" and a "covers album." The Huntingtons certainly pay tribute to the Ramones by performing their songs, but they do it so accurately close and straight–ahead that it would be more fitting to call this a "covers album." Besides making the choice to perform the songs straight–up like this, the band needs two key ingredients to pull it off — musicians who know the material and can play it; and a singer who is on key and doesn't sound too drastically different from the original. Thankfully, Mikey's bass, Cliffy and AJ's guitars, and Mikee's drums fit the bill. And most importantly, Mikey's lead vocals are dead–on accurate.
This album is pure (punk) pop. At times it's even so clean–sounding that even your mom (if she was a teenager in the 50's) will love it (Give "She's A Sensation" a spin for her!). The biggest question left for this audience would be the obvious: Where is the spirituality? Why is this being sold in Christian bookstores (actually, it's not. We found this out after going to press. This is a general market release only), and why is a Christian magazine covering it? Good question. While not full of rebellion, vulgarity, or any other "R–rated" lyrical material, this is certainly a secular album. It's basically a piece of punk rock fun that's wrapped up and packaged by Christians. When a Christian artist makes an apparent departure from their previous work (which is debatable here), it is certainly an expectation from fans to read about it in their Christian rock magazine or see it in their local Christian bookstore. So, the reason for the attention here is obviously based upon the performers' lifestyle and faith, rather than the content therein. If this was a new band's debut album, I doubt you'd see this kind of coverage here.
[Tooth & Nail/ DV]
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