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KILLING JOKE
"The pandemonium single" had a stonker of a headbanging
riff.
DEE DEE KING
Dee Dee King is Dee Dee Ramone, and 'Standing in the Spotlight' is
his 1st solo album. Supposedly a "Rap" album, but don't let that deter
you, it's actually a punky rock n roll album with some idiosyncratic rap
vocals. As Ramones fans will know, Dee Dee was a great songwriter, and
every track here is brimming with catchy hooks. Above all it's a FUN album...He
raps about life's unforseen little comedies like getting drunk ("2 Much
2 Drink"), trying and failing to become a surfer ("Commotion in the Ocean"),
and having to extricate his drunken wife from causing a scene in a hotel
("Emergency"). "Baby Doll" is a love song with such a gorgeous chorus hook
you'll be singing it in your head for months afterwards. The playing throughout
is tight and energetic, and once you get used to Dee Dee's rapping style
you'll come to love his timing and delivery. Debbie Harry sings backing
vocals on several tracks.
This album has been derided (by those who don't get it) as a failure,
a joke...but imo it's a criminally overlooked classic. I play it regularly
to put me in a good mood. If you love the Ramones and punky rock n roll
then don't hesitate, you'll love it.