By Keith Walsh When your band has the deliciously strange name Neon Straightjackets, people are going to expect a lot. Fortunately for music fans, this four-piece band from Ohio delivers, both on stage and with their debut long player, Ex-Girlfriends And Ecstasy.
The four guys in the band –Larry Stahl, Mikey Cramer, Johnny Hopkins and Colton Lloyd – present thoughtful songs about love and emotions, carried by driving guitars. The 12-track set launches with the raucous rocker, their debut single “$#!7Canned” which not only has a ridiculously styled title, but is ridiculously catchy as well. Then comes “Heavy,” about the sorrow one feels when away from the object of their desire. The third song on the set, “Stargazing,” finds Larry pondering life’s challenges while taking in the beauty of a starlit sky. (At least I think it’s Larry, who usually takes on the lower vocals, while Mikey sings the songs in a higher register. My brand new interview about their roles and songwriting processes is at punkrockbeat.com)
“Have A Nice Fall” is a thundering rocker, again about love, and the bitterness that sometimes ensues. Neon Straightjackets have a way with words, and the catchily-titled “Nightmares And Nosebleeds” brings the tempo down a bit, with a sound referencing the grunge era. “Lady Lazarus” brings back the fast pace, as the raging torrent of guitars and angry vocals capture the band’s passion in a way that’s both punk and glam. “Insert Coin” is a brief electronic interlude suggesting the band could get experimental on future records.
“I Hate Humanity” is a youthful protest against hypocrisy and hate, and it’s the most hardcore punk song on the album, but it’s not without catchy melodies. “Worryworryworry” is the first song on the set to feature acoustic guitar, and the only other instruments are the vocals of Larry and Mikey, until the full band kicks in after a third. The title and sound alone capture the weight of worry very well. “Worryworryworry” and the following song “Scatterbrain” reveal insights into emotional struggles, something Neon Straightjackets were more than candid about in our interview.
“Terrible!” starts out as a lovely ballad about ennui, before exploding into a full-on rocker. “See You Soon” is a friendly song about parting, and on streamers there’s the bonus track distance. Good thing for them and us the lads in Neon Straightjackets are sharing their powerful sound and optimism with the world – we’re all better off because of it.
Neon Straightjackets LinkTree
Neon Straightjackets Interview At Punk Rock Beat
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