Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
How the hell has 35 years passed since Love/ Hate released the drunken, stoned masterpiece that is Blackout in the Red Room? and how is that brash young singer still alive and still producing incredible music to this day?
I am parking all the negativity, all the “it’s not Love/Hate”, “it’s a cover band” crap. I will view this album the exact same way I did when that CD slid into my player 35 years ago.
The singer may have been less sober, less wise and definitely way more tired back then but with age comes wisdom and with wisdom comes attitude and balls and if you have seen any of Jizzy’s videos on YouTube you know this mutherfucker is so clued up now he would have slapped the shit out of his self back in the day but he is still here, he has the stories that portray all those mistakes and the wobbly path he took led to right here, right now and Punk Rock Fiesta!.
I will also put a dampner on any stupid “This is not a Punk album” quotes that are going about, were you there in the late 70s? Punk was never about music, half of the bands could not play, The Sex Pistols was the first boy band. Punk was about attitude, Blackout was 90% attitude, 9% musical genius and 1% luck and this album swims the waters of Punk attitude like a stage sprayed with spit and blood.
The attitude kicks off on track 1 and first single “ You’re Gonna Burn” and this is a monster, Blackout esque and a beautiful piece of rock majesty. Jizzy is sounding fantastic and the band is on fire. Darren Housholder is the best guitarist you have never heard and his work on this album is immense. The Scottish Bass legend Christian Kimmett adds to the attitude and burrows into that Punk feel with Dave Moreno rounding it out with power, passion and brutality.
After the initial barrage we burst into “Eye for an Eye” and it comes at you like a rattlesnake, spitting, coiling and striking and Jizzy is the venom that never lets up. the guitar work here is show stopping and this song builds to such a crescendo my fingers cannot keep up with the frenzy as I type.
“The Wrath of Love” winds things back so very slightly, and I mean very slightly. With the silky backing vocals you could almost convince yourself this is a pop song as it is so fucking catchy but those housholder guitars shreds that idea apart with fretboard genius. A fast beast of a track.
“Over The Edge” is a heavy assed stoner of a track. The backbone is built on Iommi riffs sent forth from the devil himself. This is going to be a live track to wreck shit too. The chorus winds it back to keep a melodic rhythm and once again we have a complete banger.
Album Tracklist
1. You’re Gonna Burn
2. Eye for an Eye
3. The Wrath of Love
4. Over the Edge
5. Didya Think You Could Fall in Love?
6. Can’t Be Wrong
7. I’ll Be Your Shadow
8. Time to Take Your Pill
Musician Credits
Jizzy Pearl – Vocals, Guitars, Bass Guitar
Darren Housholder – Guitars
Christian Kimmett – Bass Guitar
Dave Moreno – Drums
Production Credits
All Songs (Words & Music) by Jizzy Pearl
Produced by Jizzy Pearl
Executive Producer: Brian Kenyon
Mixed by Andy Haller & Jizzy Pearl at Android Audio, AZ
Mastered by Maor Appelbaum
Guitars recorded by Tim Hofstetter
Drums recorded by Dave Moreno at Doom Room Studios, CA
Additional guitars: Andy Haller
Artwork & Design
Cover Art: Jordan Hursch
Layout & Design: Michael Wohlberg
Album Photos: Christina Pearl
The unmistakable voice behind Blackout in the Red Room returns with Punk Rock Fiesta! on 1st March 2025 via Kenyon Records.
PRE-ORDER CD & LP: https://jizzypearlslovehate.com
PRE-ORDER DIGITAL: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1794235893?ls=1&app=itunes
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/track/1a9YGeYKxVcE96Zlffv6Ir
APPLE MUSIC: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id/1794297215
iTUNES: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1794297215?ls=1&app=itunes
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHMN2fXPsUU
