ARTIST: Naked Raygun
TITLE: All Rise
YEAR RELEASED: 1986
CHART ACTION: None
SINGLES: None
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Home of the Brave
LINEUP: Jeff Pezzati, John Haggerty, Pierre Kezdy, Eric Spicer
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Workmanlike Chicago punk rock commenting on political and social issues in the Reagan area.
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Naked Raygun’s high point to date, this record is a meat-and-potatoes Chicago punk rock band. Borrowing some of the rigid structure found in Big Black, along with some incendiary political commentary (“Mr. Gridlock”), Naked Raygun hit the mid-80’s in stride.
Featuring “Home of the Brave”, an anthem about the alienation of the youth of the 80’s, the band’s tightened song structure allows the messages to come through loud and clear, and also keeps everything focused.
There’s still some experimentation (“Peacemaker”), and a few tracks don’t really distinguish themselves from the others. Yet with “Home of the Brave”, Naked Raygun would not be forgotten.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: There’s a new rhythm section, though the record was written before they joined except for “Backlash Jack”.
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: A B-side and a comp cut added on.
GRADE B+: Decent punk rock with a couple of outstanding tracks.