Rock ‘n’ roll is full of clichés. It pretty much has been one about 50 years now.
And the many projects of Swami John Reis revel in these roots. Whether we’re talking about Rocket From The Crypt or Hot Snakes or Night Marchers, Reis has an ear for the concepts that are core to the style. But he has a way of making it feel fresh. Reis’ work oozes with attitude that comes across as truth rather than trite. His debut solo record is called Ride The Wild Night and there are song titles like “I Ain’t Your Pawn” and “Rip From The Bone.” On paper this sounds like a “heard that before” scenario, but his compositions and style supersede the clichés; his style makes the familiarity inviting rather than played out.
Some artists use a solo record to change directions and go all introspective. This album starts with the titular “Ride The Wild Night,” a guitar rock ripper like his entire catalog, with added rock piano for a bit more boogie alongside his trademark surf-style strumming. More song titles, like “When I Kicked Him In the Face” and “Do You Still Wanna Make Out?” should give the gist here. It’s black motorcycle jacket rock ‘n’ roll but with an authentic, everyman delivery that gives it more of a layperson vibe than a fist fighting greaser angle. Every now and then we get some nice dad jokes in there too, like “I Hate My Neighbors In The Yellow House.” It’s ass kickin’ rock that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It even gets marginally political on “We Broke The News.”
