ALBUM REVIEW: Crimson Riot – Third Time’s A Charm (Leg Lamp Records)
Crimson Riot are a punk trio from Las Vegas, Nevada, who were formed in 2017, and Third Time’s A Charm is their third full-length album.
Once dubbed the “punk rock Partridge Family”, they’re made up of guitarist/vocalist Roxy Gunn, her husband Chris Reject on bass and vocals and her dad Ryan J on drums.
They’re a new name to me, but I’ll be checking out their previous work on the strength of this high-energy album, which has lots of pop sensibility alongside the fiery delivery you expect from a punk band.
Crimson Riot have a punchy pop-punk sound, with boatloads of hooks and plenty of melody throughout the 12 tracks, which should appeal to fans of bands like The Last Gang and The Dollyrots.
Title track Third Time’s A Charm is an energetic opener with a catchy chorus and positive message, while frantic drumming and buzzsaw guitar power Decades Past.
Roxy handles most of the vocals, but Mold Age is the first of four songs where Chris takes lead, and it’s a poppy meditation on aging and holding onto youthfulness.
Lead single Cross The Line is about finding that some of those who shake your hand in the entertainment industry are only too quick to stab you in the back.
Chris also sings lead on State Of Despair, Fear Mongerer and closer Broken Neon Lights, and all three hit a bit harder, reminding me of prime era Bad Religion.
State Of Despair was the second single, and it’s a timely protest anthem about the state of Trump’s USA, concluding “the American dream is a fucking nightmare”.
They’re not one-trick ponies either; they dip a toe into ska on the jaunty Here’s To You, a thank you to fans who stood by the band during the pandemic, featuring guest appearances from members of Buck-O-Nine and Lo(u)ser.
In truth there’s not a bad song here, and Third Time’s A Charm is more than worth your while if you like any of the bands I’ve mentioned here. 8/10.
- Third Time’s A Charm is available on CD, vinyl and digital download from Crimson Riot’s website HERE.
