Ceremony - Rohnert Park
Rating
RIYL
Circle JerksBlack Flag
Youth Brigade
The Germs
Release Date
06/08/2010
Label
Bridge NineTracklist
1. Into The Wayside Part I / Sick2. M.C.D.F.
3. Moving Principle
4. The Doldrums (Friendly City)
5. Open Head
6. Into The Wayside Part II
7. Terminal Addiction
8. Don’t Touch Me
9. Back in '84
10. All The Time
11. The Pathos
12. Nigh To life
13. Into The Wayside Part III
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With the release of Still Nothing Moves You, Ceremony began to branch out and add new layers of sonic texture to their dizzying hardcore onslaught, which is no small feat for a band that built their reputation on songs so short, direct, and furious even Negative Approach would blush. But as with all watershed albums, there was an open question of where the band would go next. Rohnert Park has taken the band’s ethos right to the source by pretending as if the last thirty years never happened and it’s still 1980 in greater Los Angeles. This is a record that would not have sounded out of place if played right after Black Flag’s Nervous Breakdown EP.
Honestly, though, Rohnert Park doesn’t really even sound like Ceremony. While it’s certainly refreshing to hear such a well-executed take on L.A. punk in the 21st century, I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed. The record feels like a retreat of sorts, as if Ceremony wasn’t sure where to turn after Still Nothing Moves You and decided to just scrap everything and start over. The aggression is still there, of course, but something’s been lost in the creation of what is effectively a tribute album to the movement that gave punk rock teeth. They do the L.A. punk thing so well that it’s easy to forget the career arc of this band, and though it is so tempting to just let the nostalgia wash over you and pretend that The Decline of Western Civilization was just released, we have to face the facts: this is a blown opportunity. Ceremony saw the future staring them in the face and they chose to hide behind a wall of spray-paint and combat boots.
Everything about Rohnert Park is perfectly retro, right down to Ross Farrar’s killer Keith Morris snarl and anti-establishment railings. Ultimately there’s a lot to like here as a prime example of a punk record done right, but the problem is that Ceremony showed their hand with Still Nothing Moves You, and for this reviewer the band’s unwillingness to follow that path is the source of my frustration. Rohnert Park is both a literal and a figurative step back for Ceremony.
--Jake Oliver
Comments
Green Brook, NJ
this album reminded me of the stooges. still haven't decided if that's a good thing or not. i only listened to it once and got bored of it.
Lehigh Valley, PA
I had a hard time getting into this. I love Ceremony and I love the style of hardcore they are trying to play on this album but I feel Ceremony should stick to playing Ceremony. Decent album at any rate though.
Texas
I dunno, I saw them in a public forum (one small room with unisex bathroom attached) in CA back in 2006 with Sabertooth Zombie. Loved them live and I guess I'm sorta with Bill on this but I do love the new album. The fact of the matter is "Still Nothing Moves You:" really moved me. =D
And we gave into a giving and said thanks for simply living; we all seem to be content with existing and breathing has since became an ambition; the simple things we’re after like living and living then finding repetition lost left longing and leery in suspicion.
Boston, MA
Well written review but I don't agree with your take on the merits of releasing such an album. If you want to sound like an 80s punk band and do it this well, it deserves more than a 2.5. A band finally gets this old school style of hardcore punk right and people are mad that they don't sound like a generic modern hardcore band. I guess people who are always crying that there aren't enough classic sounding hardcore bands aren't willing to let their current favs take a shot at it. I don't get it.
You're an idiot
Stereo Typing
Please read my bullshit. I need attention.