Reno Divorce - Laugh Now, Cry Later
by Benjamin Howarth
published: 23 / 7 / 2004
Label:
Boss Tuneage
Format: CDS
intro
Catchy melodic punk rock from Denver-based punks, back with a third release on Boss Tuneage
A lot of people don’t realise it but there’s quite a knack to crafting catchy melodic punk rock songs. I’ve endured far too many hours of terrible punk bands that just can’t seem to find a single catchy melody, so it's not hard to realise that this punk-pop lark is actually much harder than it sounds. Reno Divorce would, rightly, be insulted by being classed in the pop-punk territory. They are more a rock ‘n’ roll band, and if I didn’t know they were from Denver then I’d swear they were Swedish, such is their similarity to the likes of Millencollin and the hard drinking party rock of the Hellacopters and the Backyard Babies. This band is (their words) harking “back to when rock and roll was dangerous”. But they do have some catchy tunes all the same. To be honest, Reno Divorce and I have little in common. I do not own any Backyard Babies, Social Distortion, TSOL or Slayer records and I think the Ramones are the most overrated band ever. I rank Turbonegro as the very worst band I have ever seen (and that includes some unsigned bands that sounded as if this was the first time they’d picked up their guitars), whilst Reno Divorce’s drummer thinks that Turbonegro’s album 'Apocalypse Dudes' is the best album ever made. I am not in any way a rock and roll person. They certainly are! But luckily the six songs on this record, their third release on Boss Tuneage are catchy and feature gritty down to earth lyrics about the struggle of working life, so any difference of musical outlook is irrelevant. Reno Divorce transcends their boring influences to make some original music. Rather than aiming for rock and roll fantasies and meaningless escapism, the lyrics deal rather effectively with drug addiction, lost love, debt, leaving crime behind for a straight life and, by far the strongest song, 'Rocks Under The Hill' offers a harsh but human perspective on the plight of the third world. Despite the grim subject matter, the band thrash and bounce through each song, churning out some great guitar hooks and harmonies. I was sceptical when I picked this up, but in fact, Reno Divorce have managed the rare feat of being a band whose primary aim is to tear it up onstage in a sweaty club and yet still make music that’s worth listening to at home. They are touring Europe later in the year. I hope they come to Exeter… if they do, you’ll see me hiding at the back, nodding along and admiring the moshpit!
Track Listing:-
1 Let's Go Out2 All She Wants To Know
3 The Killer Inside
4 Don't Have You
5 Laugh Now Cry Later
6 Rocks Under The Hill
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadKula Shaker - Natural Magick
Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart