Jack Grisham and the Life Undone – Pain Goes Around
Legends don’t deserve your respect and, usually, if they hired the right people along the way, don’t even need the money. Most of them hang around for the applause though, for something to do, for a shred of relevance.
You saw it when Messi failed to win another World Cup despite his team being practically pushed to the Americanized World Cup final by muscular, invisible hands.
And, you’ll hear every time that a band with exactly two hits returns to your town imploring you to remember the good, old days, and refusing to play any new material for fear that you might ignore them.
Jack Grisham and the Life Undone won’t have it. Sure, this new band’s main claim to fame is the singer’s affiliation with punk legends T.S.O.L. But, so what?
One has to go on living, feeling the highs and dealing with the lows and woes. And, “Pain Goes Around,” thankfully, sounds vital, real and intended to make you ask yourself whether you really have room in your heart for this kind of song. It’s enough to make you want to get out and seize a bit of life.
Old Sparky – Just Die! Drop Dead!
There are plenty of things in life that demand to be taken seriously. They don’t care who you are, how much money you make, or whether you’re tired from all the work you’ve been doing. There are things that demand your attention and your respect, and if you’re not willing to offer it, pretty soon you’ll find yourself alone and living on the street.
Now, rock n’ roll is not one of those things. I know, hearing it must be heartbreaking. In fact, it’s a ridiculous fantasy that most of us play along with because it scratches some sort of primaeval itch. If rock music is not a serious thing, who says you can’t write songs where you imagine the worst happening to your enemy?
Old Sparky is not ready for forgiveness, or a mature look back on one’s decision. This is rock after all, or more specifically punk-rock. “Just Die! Drop Dead!” is a song written for everyone who’s wanted to call back their former partner and scream terrible things at them over the phone. Now, you don’t have to. This song does it for you.
