It is easy to find one's self in a love/hate relationship with the Huntingtons. They make no bones about being a "wanna-be" band with songs like "I Wanna Be a Ramone" off their second release in less than a year, Plastic Surgery. Although they may sound just like the Ramones, they are doing something with the bubble-gum punk sound that the Ramones themselves never achieved. Plastic Surgery boasts the creativity of Ramones tunes such as "Rock-n-Roll Radio" while still maintaining heavy, raw guitars that are the driving impulse of Punk Rock.
By the second track, the listener knows that the Huntingtons have gained integrity. The thick sound of "Heartbreak at the Hardy Holly" carries through the album and proves that the Huntingtons have really come into their own. From the driving tunes like "Tell Me Goodnight," "Moral Threat," and "I Don't Wanna Go Out With Her," to the standard pop-punk beats of "Growing Up Is No Fun," the Huntingtons have pushed the Ramones patented sound to the extreme. Plastic Surgery boasts vocals and musicianship superior to any other Huntingtons' release. The backing vocals have improved as well. From the "bop-shoo-bops" of "Tell Me Goodnight" to the clean guitar rock-steady love tribute of "I'll See You Tonite," the Huntingtons prove their vocal and musical integrity. They even ventured into the uncharted waters of an instrumental with the spacey-surf-beach bash of "Mutant Beach Party."
The only problem is that it isn't really their music. It's easy to think of a million bands that sound like someone else. It is far tougher to think of a band that sounds just like someone else. Unfortunately, the Huntingtons sound just like the Ramones. And until they can mix in some of their other musical (and even wardrobe) influences, they will still be just another Ramones "wanna-be."
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #83Reviewed by Bob HoweGrowing up in the 80's, I listened to a lot of different bands. Punk rock was my choice. So, being a teen in the 80's, I heard a lot of Ramones songs. I never owned an album, but I considered myself a Ramones fan. What is the sound that the Ramones had? Beach Boys meet Buddy Holly? With a punk flare? Why am I going on about the Ramones? All of these questions will not be answered in this review.…Bandoppler 2000Reviewed by Earl CampbellSomeone tell the new guy about the Huntingtons' obsession with the Ramones. This is probably the band's fifteenth release, or something like that, and it sounds like all the ones before it, except surely better in some abstract or technical way. Good production, good melodies, obvious confidence in their formula, and fun to listen to at night while doing email, pirating mp3's off Napster, or…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by ConradThis is the eighth record Huntingtons have released in the past two weeks. Fortunately they've been steadily getting better and more catchy. Of course these songs are pretty much like Ramones influenced punk. Very simple. Power Chords. Lots of "Uh-Oh," kind of singing. This release is better than their last one that I gave a B+ to. Sonically this CD is great. I'm pretty sure Cliffy and Mikey did…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by Tom BastianThe Huntingtons do it again. They put out yet another great pop punk album. This album tends to be a little more poppy than "Get Lost", but thats what I really liked about this one. I think the Huntingtons strong point is their ability to write catchy pop punk tunes filled with energy. Probably the most surprising thing about the album is that two of the songs were very different for the…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by OrvillePlastic Surgery is the Huntingtons millennial debut and boy did they rip into 2000 with this one! It's no surprise that they started off the year so fast after a very busy 1999 which included massive touring, a live album, a cover album, and a ground breaking full length called "Get Lost". For Huntingtons fans "Plastic Surgery" serves as the best of both worlds. You have the vocal and musical…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Michial FarmerThe first song on The Huntingtons' new album Plastic Surgery is named "I Wanna Be a Ramone." That pretty much sums it up. Over their past five albums, the New England-based foursome has tried their darndest to carbon-copy Joey and the boys, and for the most part have succeeded. Unfortunately, this latest album does not quite live up to the standards they have set for themselves in the past. Don't…Similar sounding releases
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