It’s probably been 30 years since I heard my first tribute album and I’m not sure my opinion has changed. There are usually 1-2 really good covers, some mediocrity, and an unfocused tone. They’re often underwhelming, but the exceptions to this rule keep you coming back to the format. Fortunately, Godspeed is one of those exceptions. This record is from bands that get Naked Raygun and aren’t just paying lip service. It feels like an album instead of a compilation, and that’s a big difference.
For the uninitiated, I’m going to call Naked Raygun a band’s band. Most of the people I know who are into the group are either a certain age, from Chicago, or musicians themselves. The band developed in the early Chicago punk scene, adding a unique sense of melody built on Jeff Pezzati’s unique, strong voice, clean and nuanced guitars, and a lot of whoa-ohs. It’s heavy, but melodic. It’s fast, but not chugga-chugga or dripping with testosterone. What I’m saying is that Naked Raygun is a distinct band, which makes a set of cover songs even more challenging to pull off.
Besides being a great band, they’re still active despite several challenges. The band released Over the Overlords in 2021, following the death of bassist Pierre Kezdy. This record is a fundraiser tribute to the late Kezdy. It features a lot of Chicago bands, but also heavy hitters like Face To Face, Swingin’ Utters, Hot Water Music, and J. Robbins, from across the country.
What strikes me about Godspeed is how true to the original many of the covers are. Yes, you have a few style switcheroos, such as the chamber pop Josh Caterer track (“Knock Me Down”) or the Ramonescore touch of Grey Trash Aliens (“Fever Island”), but there’s actual continuity to the record instead of feeling like it’s on shuffle. While the changeups are fun, it’s honestly more interesting to hear bands who have their own unique styles switching into “Naked Raygun mode,” on display in contributions from Hot Water Music, Swingin’ Utters, The Methadones, and The Brokedowns. And the record is better off this way. This album feels like a tribute -- like band’s having fun and paying homage instead of showing off their own creativity. It feels enough like listening to Naked Raygun to scratch that itch, instead of encouraging me to just file Godspeed with my other records and listen to Throb Throb or All Rise instead. I’ll still be doing that, of course, but keeping this in rotation too.
Personal favorites include a fast ‘n’ heavy Hot Water Music (“Wonder Beer”), J. Robbins with some extra bite (“Got Hurt”), and the spot-on takes by Pegboy, Face To Face, and The Methadones.
