Self-released, 22 August, 2020
TJ Cabot puts out a punk record that could’ve existed at any point in the past 45 years.
TJ Cabot (who previously released stuff with a band under the name TJ Cabot & Thee Artificial Rejects) oozes the essence of punk rock. A lot of his stuff is going to remind you of Ramones, but the recording quality is way less polished, sounding even more raw and primitive (not unexpected considering the recording is done straight into Audacity on a laptop with no external microphones).
DICK CHARLES EP is Cabot’s latest release and his first under just his name. It rolls out 7 mostly good and fun songs with a bunch of hooky guitars and some melodic vocals that drip with attitude. Some of my favorites sound like Ramones rips. Opener “I Don’t Wanna Get Involved With You” has some cool no fuss vocals and some great hooks and it’s going to remind people of “I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You”. “Green Tartan Beret” is a buzzing number with lots of pace, a cool rhythmic hook on the chorus, and Ramones-style spell outs. I have no idea what they’re going on about on this one, but it’s pretty awesome. And “Let’s Get Unaffiliated” sounds like you’re listening in through a wall on a Ramones practice with some overpowering guitars and cool vocal hooks. And the melody leading into the chorus reminds me a bit of “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”.
A couple of others don’t abandon Ramones vibes, but find a bit of space. The wonderfully titled “Sheila’s Done Everything (Now She’s Done)” is a little slower and the guitars have a little more buzz than some of the other songs. I think I’m hearing some sort of surf guitar accents in parts, but nothing too complicated. And they throw in handclaps for good measure. And “Vengeance On My Mind” is a really fast pop burner with a cool earworm guitar lead and a buzzing hooky chorus that’ll get you singing along before your first listen wraps up.
TJ Cabot has a good thing going. DICK CHARLES EP is loaded with music with fangs, the kind of stuff that’ll have you whistling and singing along pretty quickly. But it’s unequivocally punk rock. And good punk rock at that.
Favorite song: “Green Tartan Beret”
Favorite moment: I’m a sucker for handclaps, and “Sheila’s Done Everything (Now She’s Done)” has ‘em
Favorite whatever else: “Sheila’s Done Everything (Now She’s Done)” is a rad song title
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
