Friday March 29th 2024

The Ice Cold Killers – “Live And Let Down”

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The Ice Cold Killers – “Live And Let Down”

 

I like lots of different types of music. I suspect you do, too.

It might comes as a surprise that my favorite music isn’t punk- though, it’s right up there. I love 40’s, 50’s, 60’s rhythm and blues the best, plus early rock’n’roll.

I mention this because this albums starts with a long “sample” of “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted,” a great Motown song and the pinnacle part of a movie I love- “Standing In The Shadows Of Motown,” about all the great, unknown, uncredited musicians on all those sixties hit songs.

But I’m here to tell you about The Ice Cold Killers. A band I’ve known for, um, less than twenty-four hours. A band I saw last night that blew me away!

I said “Hi” to a musician before their set and mistakenly, thought I remembered him from The Welch Boys. Turns out he’s a New York boy that was in Live Fast, Die Fast and is now in Zero Rights- but he’s also in this band.

Their bandcamp tags are the most concise, most accurate, succinct tags I’ve ever read- “punk Oi rock’n’roll New York”.

Those six words probably say more about them than all the words I will, while I babble on incessantly, write in this review. But I can at least explain why I think those words work.

This is a punk with a lot of high-energy, almost hardcore speed- but this is the early type of punk, what I refer to as “punk’n’roll.” This band has the rousing choruses of Oi, the rock’n’roll guitar leads of Johnny Thunders, plus the bouncing energy and kick ass passion of true rock’n’roll and true punk- which, to me, is really the same.

Let’s put their record on the turntable and see if you agree:

With a drum beat that makes me think of the intro to “New Rose” by The Damned, “Finish What You Started,” kicks off with some exiting energy anchored by a crisp, straight beat, clanging bass and ringing guitars. “I’ll finish what you started. I’ll leave you broken hearted.” A Johnny Thunders/rock’n’roll solo rips through like a tremendous tornado, demolishing mobile homes and our eardrums. “Before I disappear. I’ll tell you what you need to hear, now. It’s something no one else would say.” This song is about a not-so-perfect break up. But the energy, guts and passion that create a song like this won’t cause anyone to walk away from a song this great.

“Why I Won’t Think Twice,” comes charging in at almost hardcore speed along with a slashing guitar and words about “We want control and… won’t compromise.” The energy is combustible and rockin’ out to the max! “This is why I’ll stand and fight. Till I’m satisfied.” This song has a bit of Iggy & The Stooges in it and maybe The Clash. But whatever you want to liken it to, this song just clearly- kicks some mighty ass.

This song most caught my attention when I saw them live and it’s one of their best. “Rhythm Of War,” with the lyrics, “You gotta treat it like a street fight,”- stuck out to me. “I speak my mind so you think I’m insane. They take our future and flush it down the drain.” A song about how the young have to stand up and fight against the powers that be. At one point a chorus of voices sing, “Victory.” And though, that might be premature, as the fight goes on, this song wins musically unquestioningly.

Starting with a trebly bass and a propulsive, steady beat, “Rolling Stone” ignites with vocals recalling the great Lemmy to me and guitars scraping into the song like screeching subway trains. Here’s another killer song with the energy bursting at the seams. Lyrics from The Temptations “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” are called to service. And another great punkin’ rockin’ Oi song is completed. 

“Stranger Danger” is probably the most Oi sounding song on the album though it, more accurately, recalls early English punk bands to me. There’s a great, guitar solo that wouldn’t be out of place on a Dead Boys record. These ingredients combine to create an awesome tune, topped off with the tempo being pulled back a notch towards the end with a rousing, group chorus…and then there’s that song again.

All of the songs on this album are so solid, sound so great- that it’s amazing. After the last song it fades back, reprises, “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted,” once again.

And what does become of the broken hearted? When they see their idealistic dreams dashed upon the shores of real life, reality? And that’s talking about, pretty much all of us. Some never recover, I barely did, lots of others are swept out to see with their dreams.

But most are made stronger and realize- it’s a struggle, but a good one. And it would appear to me, anyways, the very best music survives and is not forgotten, sticks around and has it’s influence on the best of the young.

That’s the way I look at music, I see the best music survives though, unfortunately, that doesn’t always work with people.

I see this band being influenced by some really, great music and creating some really, great music as well.

“Happiness is just an illusion, filled with sadness and confusion,”- lyrics to “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted.”

Yeah, that sounds about right.

But what also sounds right is this great, rockin’ punk’n’Oi record by The Ice Killers.

And I call that a happy ending.

(Slimedog)

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