Ray Rocket
Do You Wanna Go to Tijuana?
Rise Records (2016)
Sounds Like: Acoustic versions of Toxic Kid, the Copyrights, and Teenage Bottlerocket
Score: 8.0
Okay, I definitely cheated a little when I said that this album sounds like an acoustic Teenage Bottlerocket record, since that’s essentially what it is. But at the same time, it’s so much more. Yes, Ray Rocket is the frontman of TBR, and yes, most of the songs on Do You Wanna Go to Tijuana? are TBR songs. A popular punk vocalist going acoustic is nothing new, either. Yet this album isn’t simply a sloppily thrown-together compilation of slower, sadder versions of TBR songs. The record includes two totally new tracks, “Do You Wanna Go to Tijuana?” and “Please Feel Free,” and in true Teenage Bottlerocket fashion, a cover of the Ramones’ “Pet Sematary.” Even the TBR songs on the record are refreshing acoustic re-imaginings.
The songs on Do You Wanna Go to Tijuana? can be roughly divided into two categories: songs to listen to with a lover, and songs to cry to. If Teenage Bottlerocket songs make you want to “Skate or Die,” then Ray Rocket songs may make you want to… well, “die” is a bit melodramatic, but the album calls to mind a question I’ve been pondering for the past few months: does it make you more or less punk rock if a punk rock song makes you cry?
Don’t feel like too much of a wimp if this album gets your eyes the slightest bit watery, though—Ray released it in honor of his identical twin brother, Brandon, who passed away in November. Brandon was also the drummer of TBR, and I can’t even begin to imagine what Ray went through and will continue to go through without his brother in his life. My heart broke when I saw the music video for Ray’s version of “First Time,” which features clips of himself and Brandon, and which you can view here if you feel like you haven’t cried enough today. My heart broke again when I unwrapped my vinyl record and looked at the lyric sheet to find a short note from Ray about Brandon where the lyrics to “First Time” should be. The song, from TBR’s most recent album Tales From Wyoming, seemed to originally be about a breakup. Ray’s version, however, is very obviously about Brandon. Just like on Tales From Wyoming, “First Time” is the last song on the record.
It makes it rather fitting, then, that the first track, “Do You Wanna Go to Tijuana?” is on the opposite end of the spectrum: it’s a soft, playful ballad with a tinge of sadness that’s been stuck in my head for about two weeks now. Not to mention its music video, featuring Ray and his son Milo, is super cute and will probably not make you cry. The other original song on the album, “Please Feel Free,” was a bit of a miss for me, but “Do You Wanna Go to Tijuana?” more than makes up for that. Not that it’s a lyrical masterpiece or anything; Ray isn’t exactly the most complicated or eloquent lyricist in the world, but there’s a sort of charm about his sweet, simple words that I’m a total sucker for.
Speaking of suckers: you know that one Reel Big Fish song “Suckers?” Well, if you’re one of those “suckers that still believe in love,” and especially in the idea that it can be rekindled (aka you’re hung up on your ex), stay away from the fourth track, “Without You.” The song’s basically Drake for punks. It evokes a ridiculous amount of sentimentality and nostalgia, so if you’re not over your ex, I would highly discourage listening to it while driving alone late at night, or you may find yourself subconsciously driving to their house. Hell, even if you are over your ex, the song will make you feel sad and lonely anyway.
I know I’ve made this album seem pretty depressing, but don’t let that scare you away. As all of our high school selves would say: emotions, especially the angst-y kind, are VERY punk rock. Do You Wanna Go to Tijuana? maintains a careful balance of heartbreak and hope, which is all you can really ask for of an acoustic pop punk album.
-Julien Boulton
Ray will be playing Punk Rock Bowling with his band Teenage Bottlerocket on May 29. Details for that show can be found on the Punk Rock Bowling website.
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