CD Review: The Rezidudes - Welcome to the Suck

Now this, this is fun. The Rezidudes are not a band to be taken seriously. If you make any attempt to approach this band with anything other than a party mindset you will be surely disappointed, and are likely to not get this. I find it humorous that this found its way to my mailbox so soon after seeing my friend's band play (C U Next Thursday). You see, I experienced my friend's band for the first time just last week, and they are an unoriginal band that plays cover songs. They are a cover band that takes an odd collection of tracks from artists like Lita Ford, Fear, Bon Jovi, Billy Idol, Metallica, and Rancid, puts their own brand of garage punk spin on them and puts it out on the stage. They aren't all that good, but they are a lot of fun. What does that have to do with The Rezidudes? Well, they are pretty much the same thing, although they do it with a bit more skill.

The Rezidudes debut album was released this past April Fool's Day with the great title of Welcome to the Suck. Same phrase I use when I get to work in the morning, I kid, I kid. Still, is that a great title, or what? Combine that with the happy face of a baby with facial piercings and you have the makings of a great album. Well, at least a funny picture and title.

This is the kind of music that you put on at a party with free flowing beer and a group of friends willing to sing along and make jolly fools of themselves. Seriously, one listen to this album and how can you not want a party? Take some songs from decades pasts, put them through a punk metal blender, serves as many as needed.

Welcome to the Suck comes complete with a wide array of popular songs from the past that are turned into these anthems that are suitable for any occasion, so long as the mood is light and folks are willing to take that extra step necessary to truly enjoy them as I believe they were intended to be enjoyed. They were clearly made by a group of guys that were looking to work out a different side of the music jones. This was not, could not, have been intended to be anything other than a jolt of fun.

I have found it impossible to pick out any particular songs to call the "best" of the album, however there are definitely songs that I know better than others, and to hear them in this format is rather humorous. Take, for example, there versions of songs like Simon & Garfunkel's "The Boxer," The Beatles' "Help," The Mamas and Papas' "California Dreamin'," Soft Cell's "Tainted Love," the theme from Cheers, Tommy Tutone's "867-5309 Jenny," Rolling Stones "Paint it Black," and Motorhead's "Ace of Spades," watch as they change them from their original styles and put a punk spin on them completley changing their effect. I know, it looks like I listed an entire albums worth of songs, but there is much more. Welcome to the Suck is comprised of 20 songs, all of the highest caliber.

Bottomline. This album is a lot of fun. I cannot not recommend this. Looking for a breath of fresh air amidst the bands that take themselves a little too seriously? Looking for something to crank up and sing along to? Well, Welcome to the Suck is for you.

Recommended.