drivin’ n’ cryin’
Songs about Cars, Space and The Ramones
New! Records
Atlanta’s drivin’ n’ cryin’ have been around for over 25 years (their first album, Scarred But Smarter was released in 1986) and they’ve never lost that initial energy that made them stand out in the local music scene. They were punky – the “drivin’” – but could stop on a dime and sing you a country weeper – the “cryin’” – such as 1989’s “Straight to Hell” from Mystery Road. Leader Kevn Kinney has a wicked sense of wordplay, and along with original bassist Tim Nielsen they still create a lovely racket on this Paul Ebersold-produced EP, Songs About Cars, Space and The Ramones. Starting off with the garage rock “Hot Wheels” and the full-bore “Acceleration,” the band shows no signs of slowing down on this second of three planned EPs.
“Johnny Rides Shotgun” is their tribute to The Ramones, god love ‘em, and “Out Here in the Middle of Nowhere,” featuring a raucous guitar blast from former Dead Boys guitarist Cheetah Chrome, is a throwback to their early punk roots. By the time the six-song disc winds up with the instrumental “Space Eyes,” you have to appreciate the seemingly unstoppable Kinney and crew after all these years. The guitars still roar, and the drums threaten to bowl you over, just like they always have. Long live drivin’ n’ cryin’.
drivin’ n’ cryin’: http://drivinncryin.com
