Artist: Rocket From The Crypt

Album: Circa Now! +4

Label: Swami Records

Tracks: 15

Review By: Josh Blackway

Rocket From The Crypt is a band from San Diego, CA, consisting of about 5 or 6 guys in their late 20’s or 30’s who care about nothing more than rocking you out of your chair. They’ve been doing the same thing the same way for a long time now. To accurately compare them to any other band is impossible. They are unique when it comes to rock & roll and they are very distinct in their sound. I’d consider RFTC a band of underground, underachieving, and under-appreciated legends. Swami Records decided to re-release this recording (plus 4 songs) from over a decade ago. Good idea.

You get 11 songs of classic RFTC, and 4 bonus songs of… classic RFTC as well. If you’ve heard any of their other albums, such as Scream Dracula, Scream, you know that they like to use horns, but in a VERY non-ska way. This disc, however, doesn’t use a lot of horn accompaniment. These songs are full charging rock & roll sing-alongs.

Ditch Digger is an anthem unlike anything from its time. Hairball Alley’s 1-note piano background is as simple, yet incredibly effective, as Johnny Cash’s 1-note piano on Hurt. The best song on here, as far as catchiness goes, is Sturdy Wrist. All I can really say about this song is it does what music is supposed to do: make you feel good.

This might be the best band you’ve never heard of, or the best band you’ve never given a chance. I don’t really know anyone who listens to RFTC and doesn’t love them. If you’re a long time fan, these songs will show you the past of what, in my humble opinion, wouldn’t be a disappointing future for rock & roll. If you’ve never heard RFTC, I’d check out Group Sounds, Scream Dracula.. or Live from Camp X-Ray before digging into Circa Now. As good as this album is, there’s plenty more where it came from.