Project 1950

by Misfits

Overview

Project 1950 is technically a Misfits album, but it's more like Frankenstein's monster, a cobbled-together project given life by the kinetic, funbox electricity emitted by a bunch of guys chopping out punkified covers of favorite oldies. Led by the amateurish yet somehow delightful warble of Jerry Only, who sounds like Brad Garrett of Everybody Loves Raymond if the glowering actor were to sing, this reincarnated Misfits lineup also includes drummer Marky Ramone and ex-Black Flag guitarist Dez Cadena. Since each veteran provided Project 1950 with believable liner notes professing his love of the vintage material, it's good to hear their excitement in the recordings, which crackle with enthusiasm. Produced by John Cafiero with attention to maximum thickness, "This Magic Moment" explodes out of the box with a flourish of guitar and pounding drums, only to hit another gear with the addition of supporting vocalist Ronnie Spector -- yes, Ronnie Spector. The erstwhile Ronette sounds like an angel with a dirty mind backing up the devil-lock'd Only; together with Ramone and Cadena's thudding instrumentation, their version is like the soundtrack to a greasers-only formal. Though Spector doesn't return until the album's closing number, Only and his henchmen continue on through a boisterous "Dream Lover" (complete with background "oohs," "aaahs," and "yeah yeahs") and an overdriven "Donna" that's the most punk-leaning of 1950's material. The album flags a bit by its middle -- "Great Balls of Fire" and "Latest Flame" seem to pile on top of one another, as if Only's Fred stopped short and Ramone and Cadena came crashing in behind him like Scooby and Shaggy. But the guys crank it up again for an obligatory tear through "Monster Mash," and "Runaway" isn't half bad, either. Project 1950 isn't really the Misfits. For one thing, it's about as scary as a bunch of cartoon ghouls driving around in a goosed-up Munsters funny car. But the album is really enjoyable in a nostalgia sort of way -- it's most interesting for being nostalgic both for rock & roll's birth and its punk rock adolescence. [Note: The CD arrives with a bonus disc featuring live material and music videos.] ~ Johnny Loftus

Product Details

Release Date:	12/15/2014
Label:	Misfits Records
UPC:	0823054016014

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Misfits   Primary Artist
Balzac   Primary Artist
John Cafiero   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Marky Ramone   Drums,Piano,Percussion
Jerry Only   Bass,Vocals
Jimmy Destri   Keyboards,Guest Artist
Dez Cadena   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Ronnie Spector   Vocals,Guest Artist
Eric Arce   Drums
Joan Tyler   Vocals (Background)
Robert Dunn   Vocals (Background)
Ed Manion   Saxophone

Technical Credits

Bobby Darin   Composer
Bob Marley   Composer
Jack Hammer   Composer
Jack Nance   Composer
Ed Stasium   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Doc Pomus   Composer
Del Shannon   Composer
Leonard Capizzi   Composer
Pee Wee King   Composer
Ritchie Valens   Composer
Marky Ramone   Producer,Liner Notes,Additional Production
Max Crook   Composer
Jerry Only   Liner Notes
Redd Stewart   Composer
Anthony Esposito   Engineer
Mort Shuman   Composer
Alan Douches   Mixing,Mastering
Paul Anka   Composer
Chilton Price   Composer
Conway Twitty   Composer
Dez Cadena   Liner Notes
Ronnie Spector   Commentary
Jesse Cannon   Engineer
Otis Blackwell   Composer
John Cafiero   Editing,Arranger,Producer,Art Direction
Tim Hatfield   Engineer
Bobby Pickett   Composer
Tony Squindo   Artwork,Illustrations
Paul Uniack   Package Layout
Michelle Arnold   Licensing,Sample Clearance
Jerry Caiafa II   Engineer