Customer Reviews

Project 1950

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

I'm really amazed at how many people don't like this album. Now I'll admit that it's not my favorite Misfits album, but c'mon, take it for what it is. This is just a fun little album to throw on every now and then.

Jerry Only can pass as a Misfits singer in my opinion. He's got the attitude and the pipes. He can croon as well as any other punker. Some say this shouldn't be called a Misfits album. I will not debate that here. The title of the band playing the music on this disc are called the Misfits. If you want to argue, go ahead, but facts are facts. This is a Misfits album. If you don't like it or don;t agree, go listen to 138 for the millionth time. I would rather have one member of the Misfits carrying on and releasing music than have nothing.

That being said, the music is decent. It's all punk cover's of songs from the 1950's. I like Donna, Diana, Monster Mash, and This Magic Moment the best. It puts a twist on songs almost a half a century old and pays tribute to them.

The DVD bonus is hilarious. Only, Dez, and Marky perform at a ski resort. They are on a stage surrounded by snowboarders who are in need of a Misfit fix. Check out the cute little blond with the red goggles on her forehead. She's a cutie. It's hilarious to see the Misfits in the middle of a snowball fight as they perform. Marky Ramone can still pound the skins as well as he did 30 years ago. Dude was beating the drums hard.

It's funny, but watching this is like seeing a supergroup. You got a Misfit, a Ramone, and a Black Flagger up there. Maybe if the could have gotton Johny Rotton from the Sex Pistols to front with vocals, it really would have been something.

Anyway, love Jerry or hate him, he's not going away. I say rock on Jerry, keep it coming.

The 3-chord, lighting fast, growling rock of the 50's did a lot to inspire many punk acts. Paying homage to that 3-chord past, the Misfits have created a good-but-unusual CD with "Project 1950." The Misfits, fronted by bassist/co-founder Jerry Only backed up by Black Flag's Dez Cadena on guitar and Marky Ramone of "the World Famous Ramones" on drums, scream, slam, and "whoa-a-o" through 10 old school classics in the usual Misfits style.

Jerry Only, marking his second Misfits CD as lead vocalist, provides a great voice, if only for the passion in it for the music he's creating. He's not as much of a demonic crooner as Danzig, or vocally explosive as Michale Graves, but Only rocks pretty damn hard, and it's great to hear him on here.

The songs are pretty good all around, especially Jay & The Americans' "This Magic Moment" (featuring Ronnie Spector), Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire", and Bobby "Boris" Pickett's "The Monster Mash." This is the 3rd recording of "The Monster Mash" by the Misfits -- the first being a live version posted on their website, the second being on "Cuts From The Crypt."

The real highlight of the CD, however, is the enclosed DVD. Marking the first official video release of the Misfits (besides the American Psycho & Scream videos availible through the Misfits merch booths), this DVD shows live footage of songs from Project 1950, and live footage of the Misfits and Balzac performing songs.

All in all, as a Misfits fan (new & old schools) and as a fan of 50's rock, I really dug this release. It's a breath of fresh air into a few of the songs, renewing them without straying too much from their original style. The DVD (and the fact this is the first release from the Misfits brand new label, Misfits Records) makes "Project 1950" an excellent purchase.

I really enjoyed this album and still do. I don't care if there is no Glen Danzig or Michale Graves, this was very well done. The song choice is great and it is nice to hear 'This Magic Moment'with some speed, I always thought it was to slow. The guitar-keyboard duet in 'Runaway' is really cool although not as good on the DVD(the keyboard player plays it differently but it is still good). The other songs are great too. Monster Mash is perfect for the Misfits. I look forward to an upcoming Misfits concert in my area. I would rather see Jerry Only do classic Misfits songs than Danzig. For whatever reason watching an over weight balding guy who worships Satan just does not appeal to me.

It surprises me that so many people dog this CD. I'm not a Misfit fan so I could care less about all the Trekie like concern for the band's 'artistic integrity', but on it's own terms and as a non-fan this isn't a bad 1950's rock & roll tribute. It's pretty damn good really. The DVD is a fun bonus and The Balzac vidoes are intriguing. I doubt I'll buy any Blazac or Misfit's since the 50's thing seems to be a one time deal, but this set is a good buy. The cover caught my attention so I got this on a whim. I've been listening to it a lot and think it's fun as hell.

I've been a Misfits fiend since I was 13yrs. old. I'm only 17 now. And I've known that Jerry Only with Dez (of Black Flag) and Marky Ramone (of the Ramones) were working on a 1950's cover album. When I found out it was released I bought it that day. I would have just given this album 4 stars, but the DVD makes up for it with the Misfits playing as themselves and with the guys Jerry puts them as "His boys in skeletons known as Balzac" performing Misfits songs and a Balzac tune! Here is a basic rundown
"This Magic Moment"-This is my favorite track off the album. Jerry Only does an amazing job singing this one. Wonderful melody, this song will be in your head for days!
"Dream Lover"- This a song that shouldn't be overlooked! Its just a great tune.
"Diana"- This song really sounds like its from the 50's. The horns in the song give it a real kick! Again another amazing vocal performance by Jerry.
"Donna"- Great by Ritchie Valens and a great cover by the Misfits! This song really got a punk change over.
"Great Balls of Fire"-Everbody has heard this song. It would have been better if there wasn't a vocal effect on this song. But still a great listen!
"Latest Flame"-This is what Elvis would song like if he was a punk rocker! Well its a Elvis song coverd by the Misfits, no wonder it sounds like Elvis from hell.
"Monster Mash"-This is another verison of this song by the Misfits. The first is off the Misfits "Monster Mash" single, and off the Cuts From The Cyrpt album. This verison is just heavier but still punk.
"Only Make Believe"-Another love song from the 50's with a Misfits kick. Its already been done on the first 4 tracks of this album. But I don't care, its still the Misfits!
"Runaway"-This song has Jimmy Denstri from Blondie on it. This is a wonderful track. Another great melody!
"You Belong to Me"- Once again, another great song, performed by 3 of the greatest of the punk genre, Jerry Only (Misfits), Dez Cadena (Black Flag), and Marky Ramone (The Ramones)! Once again, these 3 men always prove to me, that classics never die.
Misfits Project 1950:
Jerry Only: Lead Vocals/Bass
Dez Cadena: Guitars/Back-up Vocals
Marky Ramone: Drums
This is the album to own, if your a punk rocker or a punk fan, buy this so your parents won't get moody about you cranking up the stero. Besides it will make your parents feel young again!

You'll regret buying this album. Here's ten reason's why:

1) There's no soul to this album. Sure it's performed well, but anyone can cover a fifties song. Jerry didn't add any Misfit's signatures to it.

2) What the hell is Balzac? I know they speak english with an accent, but that doesn't mean his vocals have to be awful. There is nothing enjoyable about them.

3) The misfits live performances were pitiful. I've never seen such a lethargic guitarist. Dez looks like he's falling asleep.

4) The backup singer sounds like he'd be better at doing lounge.

5) The live synth solo by the guy from Blondie is totally faux-art and doesn't compliment the song at all.

6) This album turned the misfits into a novelty act. "Look, we'll even come to a sky-resort to do a show" It reminded me of the phone musical acts that six flags often has.

7) Sax on a misfits record.

8) The cheesy liner notes. Jerry Only trying to "bring back the music" with a lesson in rock and roll is the lamest thing ever.

9) Great Balls of Fire.

10) The cartoons remind me of 100 and 1 Dalmations.

Ah, it is finally come. I've been waiting for a new Misfits album for years, and now I am rewarded with the fabled Project 1950. This things been rumored and under development for years. This requires a bit of backstory for newcomers. Fiends need not pay attention.

The Misfits are a hardcore punk band that originally existed from '77-'83. They reformed with a half-new lineup in '95. Their bass player Jerry Only (who's been onboard since '77) has been wanting to make a punk style album of 50s covers for quite a while now, and here it is.

As I said before, this is all covers of 50s songs. Wait! Don't go away! It's good! See my rating? All of the songs have a really cool feel and flow well. They somehow have the spirit of both the 70's punk scene and the 50's doo-wops.

Jerry, Dez Cadena (Black Flag), and Marky Ramone (Ramones, duh) provide most of the music, with an occasional horn or keyboard popping in. This Magic Moment, Dream Lover, Latest Flame, Great Balls of Fire, and Runaway are the stars here. And, of course, Monster Mash. For those of you with Cuts From the Crypt or the Monster Mash 7", this is a totally different, much faster, and overall better version.

This is a truly excellent album. I guess that wraps up my rev.....what's this? A 24-page booklet with tons of artwork from the Mettalica caricature artwork guy, interviews, lyrics, and Jerry's Rock-n-Roll DNA explanation? Wow!

How could this get any better? Hey, what's this behind the CD? Holy [cow], a DVD with 10 live tracks!

I tried, I tried hard to like this album but I just cant bring myself to enjoy it. Its just not up to the standards that made the Misfits what the are (or were). It had potential but just fell short before delivering. The DVD included was of horrible quality and for those whos first exposure to Balzac is through this DVD I can only hope they give these Japanese Horror-core guys a second chance. Project 1950 is NOT a Misfits album. I know its hard Fiends but the time to let this band die is now. If you buy this just becuase its got the Misfits name on it your only going to encourage these old farts to futher disgrace themselves and the Misfits name.

I had the misfortune of buying this cd just because it was a new release with the Misfits name on it. Something tells me that's why a lot of people have bought this-- it's certainly not fun to hear. Be you a Misfits fan or not, my guess is that you won't like this album; it's not even worth spending the time to make fun of it, or even to put it on and torture people with it.

It's fine to release a cover album-- I happen to enjoy Metallica's and Guns n Roses's cover albums, as well as Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies; all the Gimme Gimmes play are covers, and they're great. I realize also that side projects are sometimes fun and entertaining, but listening to this album I'm fairly convinced that the main reason it exists is to make money from poor fools like me that perhaps like the Misfits too much. If not-- if indeed this is an honest attempt at a tribute to the songs covered on the album-- then it's a sad sad day, because that would mean that Jerry Only and Co. have lost any spark they once had for making music. For this album is one of the most uninspired, unenergetic, and even incoherent I've heard in a long time. It sounds like dollar signs and retirement.

Part of the fun of making a cover album is that you re-record songs that are already established hits-- so at the very least they contain some semblance of the goodness of the originals. But in this case the songs have been not only stripped down and made more simplistic than they already were to begin with-- the production is terrible and so what little music is still there sounds horribly muddy and sterile, even by punk standards. The vocals are singularly unengaging, which is a problem here because these simple songs are primarily vocally driven singalongs. I think that it's evident here why Jerry Only wasn't the lead singer for the Misfits on a recording ever before this one- he sounds like a tired, sullen drunk in a karaoke bar. I was particularly shocked at the version of Runaway on this record-- it's always seemed to me that the whole point of the song is the "wa-wa-wonder" part of the chorus, yet Project 1950 completely leaves that part out of the song! Come on, even Screeching Weasel got that right, and their version of the song was only 30 seconds long.

I could go on... like the moment on the DVD when some of the few people in the audience watching the Misfits play start throwing snowballs at the band in an arguably unaffectionate manner. My guess is that they were trying to get a snowball to land in Jerry Only's mouth so he'd have to stop singing. Of course, it's just a theory.

So take my word for it-- this is coming from a guy who likes the Misfits (old and new) a lot as well as all the songs they cover here-- you're better off buying a Manowar disc, because at least you can laugh at them. Project 1950 is grisly.

I really love this CD and it's clear the band members loved the music on it. No the songs here are not as good as the classics themselves, but I don't think that's possible or that the band was trying to better the original artists and wanted instead to bring a new twist to older tunes and have fun and it is a fun CD.
I think Jerry's voice is fine and have enjoyed playing this one for folks who grew up on these songs and many have enjoyed his voice. Sure he's no Jay Black of the Americans, but who is? You can hear the fun he's having in his voice and I love that! I disagree with the idea that this CD will make fans of it feel ripped off for only being about 30 minutes long. I love the Misfit's Walk Among Us album too and think it's a classic and it's 21 minutes and 39 seconds. Does that make it a rip off? Heck no! Plus with Project 1950 you get a DVD and the reason the album is just 10 songs is to fit in with the 50's motif since that's how long records were then and the disc is even designed to look like a record and is still longer than Walk Among Us. This doesn't sound too polished, but that's a plus and I dont want that from the Misfits. The classic live performances were ragged and as can be seen from the DVD things still continue in that vein although kids today prefer good natured snowballs and don't seem to be as violent or spit as much as they used to, but then I'm happy about that. It's great to hear Ronnie Spector on this CD too.