If you don’t know who MFATGG are, you’ve been living under a rock. A rock devoid of amusing and fun punk rock cover songs. So with a MFATGG album you always know what you’re gonna get, an album full of double timed, rocked up tracks laden with catchy pop hooks (typically ripped directly from the originals. There was a reason why they were popular in the first place right?) and wailing vocals. To be able to create something disappointing from this mix would be quite an achievement, as all the seem to be 100% foolproof.
The new record was recorded at a bar mitzvah. Not the most ideal of punk rock venues you would imagine, but the ‘Gimme Gimme’s are full of surprises. Not only does the CD open with Johnny’s blessing (That’s not an unknown cover, they actually begin with the Hebrew blessing of the guy getting Bar Mitzvah’d) and end on some traditional Jewish songs. Refreshing.
The inter song banter is top notch, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much at a bunch of grown men clowning around. The songs themselves are fast, and for a band that take themselves too seriously, reasonably tight, even if you can hear the occasional mistake here and there. Their flaws are a major part of their appeal however. Being a punk rock super group it’s reassuring to hear them screw up the start of songs and the like. Whether it’s for real, or for show, we’ll never know.
While this CD isn’t going to change the world, it might put the smile on a few faces and crack a few people up. Some of the songs are genuinely listenable, and if you don’t recognise all of the tracks, you will have sung along to at least one or two before, and you’ll probably enjoy the covers as much as the originals.
Go and brush up on your Hebrew.
Lurch