The solo project of James Dewees (The Get-Up Kids), Reggie And The Full Effect have gone back to old roots to the same stupid stuff they’ve always done. Yes, they. Although Dewees is the main man, he gets extra personnel from friends or he uses alter-egos on several tracks. For fans of RATFE, you would obviously know this.

If you have just discovered him/them, at least you now know. ‘No Country For Old Musicians’ is RATFE’s sixth studio album and is one that turns away from the previous album, which many fans disliked due to it taking on a darker, more serious tone as opposed to the stupidity that the first few albums had, and instead just goes back to how it used to be. When you press play, the stupidity begins.

The intro track is nothing more than a fourty second intro that feels like and old western film. That changes once the album kicks in and the stupidly titled track ‘Super Croc VS. Mega Doosh’ plays. It is as stupid in lyrics as the title suggests but yet the sound is that of Indie Rock. It is slightly grainy in sound but that adds to the effect of the album. The guitars are simple, as is everything else but the track is still a great little piece of groovy vibes.

The album progresses through yet more stupidity with tracks ‘Revenge Is A Dish Best Served At Park Chan-Wook’s House’, ‘Gimmie Back My Leg’, ‘Who Needs Another Drank?’, ‘Sundae, Booty Sundae’, ‘To The Fruit Wizards Of Donnington’ and ‘Danka Shane’. Each track is something new, ranging from something like Industrial to Rap to Electro-Pop, Post-Hardcore, Pop Punk… you name it, it will be in here somehow. It is a great mix however, keeping the album fresh and making you intrigued by the variation of sounds and the silliness of the album as a whole. Everything works, the guitars, bass, drums, keyboards and the vocals fit every song so well.

Alter egos of James, guest appearences from Floppy Disk-0 and popular alter-egos Fluxation and Common Denominator are here too, adding both to the stupidity of the album and also keeping the overall feel of the album going throughout. The album is mixed well and has been carefully handled, apparently the fan fundraising really did help the production of this album. Everything can be heard and it is something that is unique in these modern times, with everything being explored in great depth whilst still being that silly piece of heaven it is.

So then, James is back to his old ways, alter-egos, stupid song titles and everything else. Although the album is silly, it is still something so different, exploring all sorts of musical genres showing us that James is able to create versatile music for people to enjoy. This isn’t something for everyone, no doubt fans of the heavier music will miss the point behind the album, but yet it should please the die hard fans and could help gain some new fans. I personally am happy with this album.

As a whole, it is a great listen and provides a few laughs throughout letting me know that RATFE are back to their old roots again. James, you’ve only gone and done it again.

9/10

- Asa

Matt Pryor (of The Get Up Kids) has unveiled “Kinda Go To Pieces” from his new solo effort Wrist Slitter - due out November 11th via Rory Records/Equal Vision Records.Download “Kinda Go To Pieces” for free from RollingStone.comhttp://rol.st/1dZQmDz

Pryor explains the story behind the track to Rolling Stone,It’s a weird roller coaster, this job. When you’re onstage it’s a dizzying high and when you’re in your hotel, thousands of miles away from your family, reading negative tweets it’s the pits…[The song is] a very personal and honest self reflection…”

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AuthorJordan Mohler
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Matt Pryor (of The Get Up Kids) and James Dewees (Reggie and the Full Effect, The Get Up Kids, My Chemical Romance) are streaming their collaborative Matt Pryor and James Dewees EP, which is out today via Rory Records/Equal Vision Records. Listen to the entire EP on Youtube here: http://bit.ly/MattAndJamesStream

The EP is available for purchase on iTunes now at: http://bit.ly/MattAndJamesEP

Matt Pryor (of The Get Up Kids) and James Dewees (Reggie and the Full Effect, The Get Up Kids, My Chemical Romance) have premiered “Failing You” off of their upcoming collaborative EP today on Brooklyn Vegan. The Matt Pryor and James Dewees EP is due out September 30th via Rory Records/Equal Vision Records. Listen to “Failing You” here: http://bit.ly/FailingYou

Matt Pryor and James Dewees EP Track Listing:

1. I Can Be So Cold

2. Failing You

3. Peculiar

 

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AuthorJordan Mohler
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James Dewees partnered with Pure Noise Records for the upcoming release of his newest LP, No Country For Old Musicians, out November 19th. It will feature guest appearances by Frank Iero, Adam Lazzara, Allison Weiss, Sean Ingram and Ray Toro. Reggie is best known as for Reggie and The Full Effect/The Get Up Kids, but has been involved in writing and touring with both New Found Glory and My Chemical Romance. After taking a break from the music scene, he was inspired by the outpour of support from fans to enter the studio and make another album.

Track Listing
1. Introduction
2. Super Croc VS. Mega Doosh
3. 37
4. Fowlin’ Around
5. Revenge is a dish best served at Park Chan-Wook’s
6. Guerrera
7. Gimme back my leg
8. Robo Fonzie meets Frank
9. Who needs another drank featuring Floppy disk-0
10. Sundae, booty sundae featuring Fluxuation
11. Kanji tattoos still in style
12. We make a breakfast
13. To the Fruit Wizards of Donnington
14. DMV featuring Common Denominator
15. Disregard
16. Danka Shan

Today’s contribution of our 5 Albums That Influenced Me feature comes from Coastline.

1. Jimmy Eat World: We love Jimmy Eat World because they are so diverse and you never know whats coming next , they are probably the biggest influence on us as a band because that’s something we aspire to do… we all grew up listening to Clarity and Bleed American.

2. Blink 182: I think i can safely say that Enema Of The State and TOYPAJ were the soundtrack to all of our teenage years , we have all been in a band at some point that tried to covered a Blink song.. and listening back to those albums now is the most nostalgic thing ever. Good times.

3. The Get Up Kids: As far as 90’s emo bands go , one of our favorite albums is definitely The Get Up Kids “Something To Write Home About” its one of those few albums where you don’t feel the need to skip a track and is full of relatable lyrics.

4. Nirvana: I love Nirvana because Nevermind basically taught me how to play the drums , i remember my Dad playing it all the time when I was 6 or 7 years old, and trying to learn the songs on my first drum kit.. nobody plays as hard as Dave.

5. The Foo Fighters: A few of us recently saw them at the Milton Keynes bowl , they played for 2 hours plus an encore and every song was a hit..covering all grounds with songs like Monkey Wrench then  Everlong their live show is an emotional roller coaster! Probably the best live band in the world right now.