IN REVIEW: Swami John Reis - "Ride the Wild Night"

 

When last I heard John Reis' name in relation to new music, I was discussing the triumphant return of Hot Snakes back in 2018; Jericho Sirens marked a welcome return for one of his more renowned bands, Reis having also been involved in the creation of some twenty combined albums across his eight projects (also including influential groups Drive Like Jehu and Rocket From the Crypt). One of his newest endeavors saw him collaborating with surf punks The Blind Shake for 2015 instrumental album Modern Surf Classics, which sounds pretty much exactly as badass as you think it does.

Now, more than thirty years removed from his first foray into recorded music, Swami John Reis comes roaring back with his first true, official solo album; Ride the Wild Night is a free-wheeling half hour of no-muss, no-fuss rock that draws influence from his past projects and his own influences alike.

There's a lot of classic garage rock and punk to be gleaned from Ride the Wild Night, its ten tracks dripping with not just some of that ragged surf groove, but also some Rolling Stones/The Kinks swagger, Stooges rawness, and even the occasional hint of psych and prog. It doesn't let up, choosing its vibe and keeping the party going from pillar to post while incorporating those subtle variations in style to prevent fatigue; and, even though my favorites reside in the album's first half, the drop-off in quality and energy is so negligible on the B-side that virtually any song on the album could be singled out as a highlight without much logical argument to be made to sway opinions.

Having said that, this is very much a prototypical "play homage to the masters" album and, while Reis doesn't owe anybody a blazed trail at this point in his career, it should be disclosed upfront that Ride the Wild Night is much more a product of nostalgia than one of innovation. Still, it's an absolute blast, doesn't overstay its welcome and doesn't take itself too seriously. If you're looking for a rough, ragged dose of upbeat rock to soundtrack your next party, something to play loudly while driving with the windows down, or just some good times tunes to take your mind off our collective bad times, Ride the Wild Night should do the trick just fine.

February 18, 2022 • Swami

Highlights Ride the Wild Night • I Ain't Your Pawn • Days of Auld Lang Syne