The Mansfields
'Cramp Your Style'
posted 2008-11-14
Imagine the RAMONES, the CRAMPS, Johnny Cash and the LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH all jamming together. Well, the result would be quite close to what you can hear on this record. No doubt that these guys have a strong passion for rock’n’roll history.
Whlie “Roxy” and “Lipstick Killers” are glammed up rock’n’roll hits, the band is also not afraid to give us a bit of rockabilly and country in songs like “Halfway To Memphis”, “Baby Lets Play House” or “Just Because”. And what if HANOI ROCKS was meeting The CRAMPS with Stiv Bators on vocals? Well, just listen to “Frankenstein Twist” and “NYC Rock-N-Roll” if you’re hard to convince. If you’re more into SOCIAL DISTORTION, then “Tattoos & Memories” will be your first choice on here.
The 50s/60s underground garage influence can not only be found in the band’s vintage artworks but also in a song like “Who Wants To Be A Zombie Anyway?” for instance.
I couldn’t end this review without a few words about “Fashion Trash” and the last song “If We Ever Part”. As much as I think that most bands writing songs influenced by The RAMONES usually suck at it, The MANSFIELDS are showing us that you can do this in style, adding your own personality and sensibility without just ripping off…
This sounds like one hell of a rock’n’roll party, doesn’t it?/Laurent.