Man, do I ever feel like a knucklehead for being late to the party on Rob Moss's third and latest album. I'd been meaning to do a write-up on this release for a while, and quickly the weeks turned in to months. A tendency for procrastination is clearly one of my worst character traits. Thankfully the release of a new split with Shake Some has provided the occasion for me to atone for my goof and bundle a couple of reviews.
Records is the follow-up to 2022's Now with More Rockets, and it's even better than its predecessor. Moss, who is well-known for being a member of Government Issue and Artificial Peace in the '80s, is now in the midst of an impressive second act fronting his band Skin-Tight Skin. On Records, he again works with drummer Danny Frankel. Tom McNally (bass, backing vocals, Hammond C3 organ) rounds out the band, and a huge cast of guest stars contributes lead guitar and backing vocals. Moss repeats the concept from the last album where each track features a different lead guitar player, and why mess with a winning formula? The only thing better than having an amazing lead guitarist is having eleven amazing lead guitarists! As is sometimes the case with a follow-up album, Records takes everything that was good about Now with More Rockets and makes it even better. As a songwriter and singer, Moss is really settling in to a signature style and point of view. His love for first wave punk and proto punk is palpable, but he's not doing an imitation of past greats. And lyrically, he's really got something to say, and he does so with a mix of truth-telling, self-reflection, and sarcastic humor. If you enjoy old school punk rock with songwriting that's relevant to the present day, you're going to love this album. The rhythm section is a powerhouse, and all the guest lead guitar work is positively scorching. Moss shows an even greater command of his unique voice — sometimes taking a classically "snotty" approach and other times mixing singing and speaking in a very cool way. You can tell this guy has been listening to punk rock music for as long as it has existed.
What really impresses me about Records is how strong the songs are from start to finish. My initial reaction to "We Just Don't Know" and "Hey You (We're Sick of You)" was "Wow, what a 1-2 punch to start an album!" But I quickly realized that there's zero drop-off from there. "We Just Don't Know" is truly an anthem for our times — a song that blends serious commentary about the secrets kept by the powers-that-be with some of the funniest lyrics I've heard this year. "You and Time" is a very profound reflection on how time is perhaps the most precious thing in life. "So let's all make the best/Of the time we've got/Enjoy the ones we love/And let the haters rot" ought to be everyone's new mantra. "The World (Is a Playground)" is a duet with The Shang Hi Los' Jen D'Angora that also features Danny the K on lead guitar. It has more of a classic new wave feel to it and is definitely one of the highlights of the album. Moss and D'Angora sound great together, and the joyful vibe of this track really appeals to me. "I Got Lots of Problems" is another choice slice of '77-style punk rock 'n' roll that pokes fun at those folks who never take any accountability for the things that go wrong in their lives. "Right Hook" is in a similar vein. We all know some of those people who are completely full of themselves and so certain that they're on top of the world. And then, boom! Life punches you in the face. "The Next Time (I See You)" is a very relatable song about struggling to stand up to that person who knows how to make you feel small. "What Happened (to the Rock 'n' Roll)?" is dedicated to the late, great Jack Lipton. The title says it all, doesn't it? Closing the album with a dub version of the opening track definitely feels like a nod to first wave punk. But here's the thing. I've skipped "Wild Dub" many times when listening to the first Generation X album. But I actually like "We Just Don't Dub." I think it's a very clever and skillful arrangement of the song, and it closes a fantastic album on a really fun note.
While I'm clearly a lame-O for being two months late on my
Records review, I am happy to report that Moss also has a brand-new split single out with Bordeaux, France–based power pop trio
Shake Some. This particular concept for a split is a favorite of mine. Each band covers one of the other's songs and puts it own twist on it. So you've got Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin (on this track featuring Moss, McNally, Gil Leigh, and Steve Naff) covering Shake Some's 2023 single "Slow Down" while Shake Some does its own version of "I Got Lots of Problems." Any fan of either band will want this single in their collection. If you enjoy this collaboration, you're in luck. Moss has some more splits lined up for 2025!
