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 DARKBUSTER-
A Weakness for Spirits (Dumb
Trumpeter) The guys in Darkbuster may have a weakness for spirits, but
they sure as shyt don’t have a weakness for playing great punk rock.
Since it has been a number of years between releases, Darkbuster
personifies the saying “good things come to those who wait.” We
waited, and they’ve delivered a CD that’ll have Darkbuster fans
raising their pints (or bottles…or cans…or shots) to the heavens
screaming praise and thanks. Oh, let’s not forget the army of new fans
this CD will surly recruit. Opening A
Weakness for Spirits is an introduction of sorts, “We Are
Darkbuster.” This song is great to sing along with, but proves enigmatic
as I am not a part of Darkbuster and the words are “we are
Darkbuster.” Damn guys have me all confused as to what to sing without
being a liarhead. “Stand and Deliver” offers praise to the
U.S.
military, while “Try to Make It Right” has me wondering if this is
what a punk rock Johnny Cash would’ve sounded like. Skankin’ punkers
will dig the ska tune, “Rudy.” On the surprising side, “Rise Up”
is probably the hardest, as in hard rock, song I’ve heard Darkbuster
play. “Whisky Will,” sung by Bassist Mike Gurley, screams “If she
don’t kill me, the whiskey will.” Tell me, how many guys reading this
review can relate? Along with lead vocalist Lenny Lashley, you’ll hear
guest vocals on “Skinhead” by Dropkick Murphys’ Ken Casey, and the
plaid boy himself Dicky Barrett (Mighty Mighty Bosstones) on “Give Up
Dope.” Of course, there’s
the best song of 2004 (The
Noise Poll- Boston zine) “Gramma was a Nazi:” a lil’ ditty
that if you’re lucky, will hear played approx 20 times at a live show.
You’ll certainly become one with Lenny’s wishful wanting and
exhilarative thankfulness in “DJ” as he pleads with a radio disc
jockey to play his favorite song during a long ride home. An amusing song
that needs to be heard to believe, “Balls the Size of
Cantaloupes” is a tune that will stick itself in your brain forcing you to
involuntarily sing it to yourself over...and over..and over.
“Londontowne” is the notorious Darkbuster drinking/buddy entry. True,
I haven’t figured out “Au Baul Licci Goe,” but it’s damn cool.
Last but certainly not least, “Cell Phone” will have Gurley’s cell
phone number dialed more than 876-5309 ever was. Darkbuster-domes will
welcome back, from 22 Songs… (Darkbusters
first cd), Eric “Rice” Edmonston on guitar and drums, while long time
Darkbusterite Dan O’Halloran still pounds the skins. There are 18 songs
on the disc, but this review is already too long so I shall cease my
barking. I have a feeling A Weakness
for Spirits is going to spark an affective ripple in the Boston Music
scene, and cause an upward spike in liquor sales. Seriously, if I had to
recommend a new cd to a friend, it would be this one. – Denis Sheehan
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