The premise of a new batch of Memphis' Jay Reatard's songs is like Christmas morning for that crazy N64 kid for me. Fortunately, Jay's a prolific lil guy, churning out albums or singles collections at least once a year since the early 2000's. The Memphis product's proficiency at melodies and tunes is equal to his vitriolic punk guitar attack, resulting in a style similar to the early pop punk pioneers such as the Buzzcocks, Stiff Little Fingers, Descendants, The Ramones, The Damned, etc.
On his newest, Watch Me Fall, Jay and his band bring the heat as usual, yet temper it with great pop instincts and a good ear for melody. He juxtaposes his hurt lyrics with sunshine and bubblegum on "I'm Watching You," and the single "Wounded," while "It Ain't Gonna Save Me" and "Hang Them All" are more straightforward, propulsive rockers with anthemic choruses. The song that makes this album a considerable step forward to Jay is "There Is No Sun," which may as well have been produced by Phil Specter with it's beautiful wall of fuzzy sound and harmonic buildup and chamber of echo. That's the difference with this album, he now has songs that can rock stadiums as well as dingy clubs, so he has a ways to go before he peaks and thank god, the radio needs him.
Classic Reatard:
Check out Jay's other full length, 2006's Blood Visions (aka the best punk album to come out since the early 80's) and his singles collections.
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