First off, I’ve yet to hear The Bomb’s previous records, but that will definitely change soon as I’m completely and totally blown away by their new Lp. For those who don’t know, this is the other band of JEFF PEZZATI (the singer of the mighty NAKED RAYGUN) and as such, much of the same territory that Raygun mined in the ’80s is here. You have tons of shouted chorus and melodic punk with several songs featuring a prominent post-punk influence as well. The beautifully-designed cover is even reminiscent of Naked Raygun’s classic Jettison Lp. However, there is no retread. In fact, it may be the Lp of Pezzati’s life and believe me, as a huge Raygun fan, I don’t say that lightly.
All eleven songs on here are great, but my favorites are “Not Christmas Day,” “A Song for the Helenas” and the absolutely incredible “Spaceman”. The lyrics seem, at least from a distance, far more personal than much of the ones he wrote for Raygun, which tended to be rather detached and ironic, at least when you consider the many songs in the Raygun catalog about then-prevalent geo-political concerns (everything from “Rat Patrol” and “Managua” to “Hips Swingin’”). By contrast (at least from what I can make out), “Not Christmas Night” is a tender plea for love and acceptance, “A Song for the Helenas” is about those who are popular in high school and look down upon their classmates and “Spaceman” is about someone wasting away their life, though it’s unclear how so.
As for the music, well it’s just a touch more melodic than Raygun. The band Pezzati has assembled this time around includes members of the now defunct Chicago punk band THE METHADONES. Additionally, longtime Raygun fan J ROBBINS recorded the album, appears on several tracks and even co-wrote. Furthermore, DAN YEMIN of PAINT IT BLACK contributes bone-crushingly intense, awesome backing vocals on the track “Integrity”. Thus, Yemin nicely returns the favor since Pezzati sang on the last Paint It Black album. Overall, though, this is still Pezzati’s show and at this stage of his career, it’s amazing that he’s capable of something so affecting and moving. Far from an aging star who plays the occasional Naked Raygun reunion gig for some quick cash, he’s still a vital artist with a lot on his mind and hopefully, more records like this in the future.
In short, this is melodic punk rock at its very best. The music is driving, but catchy and most importantly, heartfelt, intelligent and real at the same time. I give this one my absolute highest recommendation.
