The Successful Failures “Saratoga”
New Jersey’s Successful Failures present their 7th full-length LP, “Saratoga.” Lead singer Mick Chorba starts with the echoing fuzz chords of “Because We Are Ghosts,” and despite the simple lyric, it commands your attention. The band shuffles along on its roots-like rhythm of “Love You So” with a terrific slow boogie bass midway through the song as Mick croons “Do you love me so?” While the songs feel very loose if you listen carefully, you’ll hear the subtle details in the composition. Like Tom Petty, it’s the augmented leads and chugging beat of a song like “Ocean and The Stars” that elevate it from average to greatness.
The band moves from the traditional blues on “Ruby, Ruby” to the very ambitious “Knoxville Suite” which incorporates some very Clapton-esque touches as reaches its zenith. The follow up “No White Knight in Knoxville” is a fast-paced anthem sure to get you tapping your feet. While there are several typical rockers like “Oh Diane,” it’s also good to hear the more experimental “Already in Two.” Overall another highly recommended LP.
The Muffs “No Holiday”
When you want to count the great punk-pop bands of the genre, near the top of your list should be The Muffs. While they reference The Who, The Troggs, The Kinks, Ramones and Sex Pistols, they are completely original. As punks, they can make noise with the best of them, but its Kim Shattuck’s songwriting and the tight-knit playing that makes them so formidable. Billy Joe Armstrong (Green Day) called Ms. Shattuck “one of my favorite songwriters.” So its with bittersweet feeling that I review the final Muffs album No Holiday. Kim passed away last week from complications of ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease), but she left us a treasure trove of tunes in her wake. Written over a period between 1991 and 2017, the songs range from intimate ballads to punk expression. And at 18 tracks, there is a lot to wade through.
Starting with “That’s For Me” and “Down Down Down” its everything a Muffs fan expects, with the snarls, screams and punk guitars. But for the title track, Kim gets sweet with a big melodic chorus, as the next few songs are mellower than expected. “Late and Sorry” is another highlight with a perfect mix of the sweet and sour. Some great songs could have benefited from a fuller production, like “Sick Of This Old World” and “Happier Just Being With You.” On the whole, the songs showcase the band’s depth of emotion on gems like “Lucky Charm,” and “On My Own.” It’s a fine portrait of Kim’s many moods and she will not be forgotten. Highly Recommended.
The video above is the last Muffs concert in South America