“The enthusiasm really comes across. Enjoy it, have fun with it, think of it as a tribute to the Misfits, sing along if you want. It’s supposed to be fun and funny. It’s not supposed to replace or improve the Misfits’ recordings in any sense. It’s supposed to compliment them. Think of it as another way to enhance your overall Misfits experience.”--- Sam Elwitt, 2005Fun and funny?
Indeed, Mr. Elwitt.
Unlike the supporters of many other bands, the better portion of those who would describe themselves as a Misfits fan do not merely own a few Misfits recordings--- they tend to own the band’s entire catalogue. Since I was first handed a dupe copy of “Evilive” by a friend of mine, back in the seventh grade, I have become one of those Misfits fans. They have since become (arguably) more popular than when they were a gigging, functioning band--- the passing years only seem to have fortified the legend and charm of the Misfits’ exceptionally unique, musical reel-on-canvas of late 1950’s rock and B-horror cinema.
We Misfits fans must wonder with what perverse and unknowable intent the gods of loungecore music decided to spawn “Fiend Club Lounge”. At first, I suspected that it was a clever attempt on the life of yours truly--- due to the fact that after popping “Fiend Club Lounge” into the ol’ disc player in my car, I came within 5 feet of hitting a tree, after hearing the first 20 seconds of “Last Caress”. For Misfits “completists”, this recording is a must have. If there is a Misfits fiend in your life, these lounge lizard interpretations will bring joy and uncontrollable laughter to their life.
Some of you might be wondering… what the hell is loungecore?
Imagine Tom Jones’ back up orchestra playing out the music of bands like the Buzzcocks, Minor Threat, Black Flag, the Ramones, and the Misfits. Makes you chuckle just thinking about it, doesn’t it? In short, the music is SO wrong, it’s right.
It’s all here--- from the swingin’ bounce of “Astro Zombies”, “Some Kinda Hate” and “Hybrid Moments”, to the hilariously tacky samba stylings of “Hatebreeders” and “Attitude”--- the Fiend Club Lounge is open for business, baby, so throw on your red smoking jackets and fez caps!
If you are a Misfits fan, AND disturbing things make you smile, behold your Holy Grail.
Rated in terms of twisted hilarity: 94 points.
DS