Misfits | ‘Land Of The Dead’
Back in Metalworks 4, Paul McCarroll of Unhinged Art reviewed the last “proper” album of the Misfits, “Project 1950″, in two incredibly concise sentences: “From cult to cash cow. For fuck’s sake Jerry, knock it on the head.”
He was unerringly accurate, and a longer review would have been superfluous. What followed next in the Misfits catalogue was an exercise in stalling, with only a single EP of two 1997 demos in 2006.
Now, ten years after the incredible “Famous Monsters”, and the lamented departure of Michale Graves, Jerry has finally realised that’s it’s time to put some new and original material out there and realise that Misfits vocalists have always done all the writing. How does he get on now that he’s the singer and the onus is on him?
Well, it’s a two song record, which speaks volumes by itself. It was released in a strictly limited ultra collectable edition of 1000 red vinyl only. Then it was shamelessly repressed in green vinyl, again limited, after the original 1000 had been sold, again pushing the perception of Misfits stuff being extremely desirable and must-haves for a limited number of superfans.
A cynic would feel that this is meant to deflect attention away from the music, and hide the fact that this is the first material Jerry Only has composed on his own without the powerful songwriting talents of Graves or Danzig to latch on to. And it shows really who the brains were behind the Misfits of old - it’s plain that Jerry can neither write a good song nor sing a good song.
Both songs here are standard monster movie fare, without the sci-fi menace of the Danzig era nor the introspective human evil style of the Graves stuff. But they are so unbelievably catchy, you’ll be singing them in your head for the foreseeable future.
However, considering the decade-long wait on new material, the fact that both songs aren’t absolutely killer is a major detraction from the overall enjoyment. ‘Twilight Of The Dead’ in particular is just a derivative of ‘Mars Attacks’ mixed with ‘Bruiser’.
That’s not to say it’s not catchy – it’s catchy as hell, but it’s just so damned two dimensional. There’s just nothing to drag this B-movie music out of B-side territory. Title track ‘Land Of The Dead’ is similar fare, but apocalyptically short, and cuts out just as it’s getting good. In fact, the entire record is 4:59 long. For a 2 track 12” ten years in the making, that was pretty expensive to buy, it just seems like very little value for money.
This reeks of Misfits by numbers really. Horror movie lyrics, simplistic metalpunk music, loads of woah-oh-ohs, fast paced and catchy as hell. But it just doesn’t feel like a Misfits record. There’s no heart or soul here, and the fact that both songs have the word “Dead” in the title speaks volumes for where most fans perceive the band to be these days.
However, there’s simply no escaping that the songs, despite their second rate status, are hook-laden and really good at sticking in your head. They’re fun to listen to. If Michale Graves was singing and writing on this release, it’d be killer. As such, because Jerry Only can’t sing, it gets a relatively low, but above average mark. Still milking the cash cow, but perhaps not quite ready to go out to pasture yet.
3.3 / 5 - Dónal McBrien ::: 04/03/10
March 4th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Confusing review really. One minute you are saying its awful, next your saying its catchy as hell and hook-laden. Thats the Misfits for ya. As a huge Misfits fan, these new tracks arent a million miles away from Famous Monsters. To say Jerry Only cant write a tune is a bit harsh. As you say, these songs sound like Misfits with the usual woah-ohs etc. So it could fit on American Psycho or Famous Monsters, only the obvious thing thats different is the lack of Michale Graves. Only’s voice doesnt stand up
March 4th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Donals just confused by loyalty, he knows the eps bollocks, but hes a fan and just cant admit it. Took me a year to admit st anger was pish, give donal time
March 4th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I’m with Dale on this. Wind yer baps in McBrien!
March 5th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Nothing has been up to power on new material since they reformed - the odd good track. Great fun live but that is a corpse that should have been left buried.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Kieran, I feel that due to the mental amount of time between Famous Monsters and the new one, they should have been setting the world alight with great new stuff. Two songs in ten years? It’s diabolical. When Graves was in the band it was two full, killer albums in a couple of years. It doesn’t bode well for Only’s writing skills at all. THe songs are catchy of course, but they are total b-sides.
I mean most pop songs are catchy, but it doesn’t mean they’re great.
March 8th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Land of the Dead sounds like something they decided to leave off American Psycho cause it wasnt good enough. Twilight of the Dead is just an awful song altogether.
March 8th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Yup, and I wouldn’t be too sceptical about it being a leftover from that album. But look at what Graves and Danzig have done since leaving the band. Tons of material. Only is cruising on past glory and bleeding the fans dry.
The red vinyl sold out in a matter of days, as the 1000 fans wanted an exclusive. Then what happens a week later? The repress on different coloured vinyl is announced. Pure moneygrabbing move.
March 10th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
The Misfits should have stopped a long long time ago. I guess people keep buying the records, so where there’s demand there’s supply.
I’m off to listen to Static Age.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
This is a metal forum, outrage, shock, anger, etc.
March 16th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Point Connor?
I think the only problem with the review is the over-use of ‘catchy as hell’
Seriously though, Jerry Only needs to stick to playing bass, he’s a useless singer.
The Misfits are a tribute act now, people come out to see Helena, Last Caress, Dig Up Her Bones etc, not to see Only attempting to be up to par with his predecessors (?).
Graves should come back to them just to remind us fans what they are really capable of.
March 16th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
that’s the thing, it IS catchy as hell, and the songs will stick in your head no bother. But will you ever scream for them to be played? Not a chance. By the way, Graves has stated he’d be amenable for a reunion. Danzig and Doyle were set to come back a while ago, but according to Doyle “Jerry and his manager threw a fuckin’ spanner in the works.” Would have been amazing. So I’d say a reunion for either vocalist will happen at some point.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I was only joking bout that mate, don’t sweat it!
I swear, if Graves came back I’d be over the moon, that dude’s got talent beyond measure.
March 17th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Have you heard much of his solo stuff? It’s spellbinding.