Cuts from the Crypt

by

Misfits

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I grabbed the "Cuts From the Crypt" CD as soon as I could to give myself a soundtrack to listen to for Halloween 2001. The main attraction here for me was the two cuts from George Romero's "Bruiser" since, as a rabid Misfits fan, I already had most of the other stuff in some format or version. I think "Bruiser" is right up there with "Forbidden Zone" as once the best Misfits songs from 1996-2001 era. It really reaches back and captures that punk rock sound that I prefer over the more metal influenced stuff. "Fiend Without a Face" is also an interesting song, a bit slower than most Misfits tracks, but (I thought) very melodic. It plays to Michale Graves' strengths. It you didn't buy the import version of "Famous Monsters" you'll also enjoy "1,000,000 Years B.C." and "Devil Doll." "Helena 2" was just a gag to blow your speakers(!) as Jerry admits in the wonderfully extensive liner notes (also a reason to buy this CD). I saw the Misfits perform Black Flag's "Rise Above" live at Louisville's Riverfront Park, and loved it, so I'm glad it showed up here. It's nice having a good version of aborted Misfits' comeback anthem "Dead Kings Rise" leading off the CD. I miss Michale and Chud already and wish them well, but I'm standing by Jerry in his take-no-prisoners, good old American work ethic as he drags the Misfits kicking and screaming into the new century. I'm praying for his brother Doyle and hoping he gets his life and family situation back to where he wants to be, because I miss him as a guitarist and icon on the stage. Even with Robo, Dez and my beloved Marky Ramone, the Misfits just aren't whole without Doyle.

Don't get me wrong... I love the Misfits. I was extremely excited when Jerry and Doyle put the band back together in '96 and was very happy with the two records (American Psycho, Famouus Monsters) that were put out. However... it seems as if the band is falling apart and this compilation solidifies my opinion.

It's starting to become painfully apparent that Jerry Only thinks he is the be all, end all of the Misfits. He is the only one touring with the "band" at the moment... and aside from a quote or two from Doyle, he wrote all of the liner notes, there's a sillouette graphic of him in the lyrics book, and he claims he didn't want "No More Moments" included on this disc because he had nothing to do with the song and claims it sounds like it was thrown together in 5 minutes. Strangely enough, "No More Moments" is one of the brighter spots on this album.

From a musical stand point, this is a hit and miss album. "Dead Kings Rise," "Mars Attacks," and "Dr. Phibes Rises Again" are all lackluster tracks, though "Dr. Phibes..." is a fairly interesting look at the Misfits as a "metal" band (coughkrysttheconquerercough). Their cover of "Monster Mash" makes the band seem like a self parody of themselves, "Fiend Without a Face" is BY FAR one of the WORST Misfits songs I've ever heard, "Helena 2" is far from being a "remix," and the live cover of "Rise Above" leaves me longing for the days when Black Flag and the Misfits shared the stage in '82... not the leftovers sharing the stage in '01.

However, there are some bright spots... though most of them I was already familiar with. The demos of "Blacklight," "The Haunting," and "Hunger" are very raw which make the songs sound better than their "America Psycho" predecessors. I've loved the band's cover of "I Got a Right" since it came out on the fabulous Iggy Pop Tribute Album. "Devil Doll" reminds me of Motorhead on a punk binge. And than their's "No More Moments"... I really dig this song and wish that it wasn't Michale and CHUD's final song... I thought that the lineup was very solid with those two. Unfortunately, Jerry thought he'd be able to con Glenn into rejoining the band for the M25 tour. Obviously, that didn't happen.

I hope that "12 Hits from Hell" sees the light of day sometime soon... there was something about the Danzig-era Misfits that just couldn't be matched. 'Til that day, I'll just spin "No More Moments" hoping that Graves, CHUD, Jerry, and Doyle all make amends with each other.