 Michale
Graves - Punk Rock Is Dead (2005)Well, this album is definitely a grower, I started out kinda disappointed, I was expecting the standard Misfits style hooks, and I didn't get that. But then again Graves has done a lot of stuff outside of The Misfits that I like more in certain ways. Now I'm on my 4th listen or so and I'm loving it more and more. As I mentioned before he broke The Misfits style of chorus, meaning he doesn't use a horror movie title as the chorus of every song, In fact it doesn't feel like The Misfits at all other than the horror themes and the occasional "whoa" and "oh". But, hey, it's still more Misfits than anything Only has done in the last four years. Michale Graves has a way of singing and making just about anything sound good, take for example "1119" This may have the catchiest chorus on the album, I can't get the damn thing out of my head.. it's just a damn four digit number! The bass part of the song kinda reminds me of White Zombie and at some points Michale seems to be just spouting off poetry, I mean this in a good way, really. In fact as I type this I realize this is probably my favorite song on the album. "Punk Rock Is Dead" is pretty much a punk rock diss song, it borderlines cliché sometimes but makes good points, then again, who could blame a guy for being a bit angry, after everyone made a big deal about his political beliefs? He's not in Anti-Flag, who cares who he votes for? anyway yeah "punk rock is dead, and I'm punk rock" get it? dead? zombies? horror? ah fuck you. I thought it was funny. Anyway, "Beware" is a great opener with lots of ups and downs to it. "Teenage Monster" is worth listening to if only for the line "I'm growing up Ugly and Stupid" awesome. "Radio Deadly" is pretty cool though I wish it were longer. The last track "Dawn of The Dead" has a typical prettier than it should be chorus from Mr. Graves, I don't know how this guy pulls it off consistently The album cover is way cool, just a few zombies with cool chunks o' corpses. The booklet just has the lyrics all with different colors, it would have been better if they actually had a picture of two of Graves. The CD was worth plunking down $10, Even if It's a little short at 24 minutes long. Then again I wouldn't be complaining if it were called "Punk Rock Is Dead EP". I guess I'll shut up about that. Michale is a good musician all around, he wrote and recorded this album within a month, doing everything except drumming. I hope he comes out with another solo album, or keeps one project going or something. Yeah, one day into this album and I'm wanting more. Official Site |
