The Dead ’60s (self titled) (Deltasonic Recordings/Epic)

One of the best releases earlier this summer, The Dead ’60s are perhaps the best retro-punk-rock band to come out on the scene where you don’t feel like you’re being insulted by a bunch of kids (*cough* Sum 41 *hack*) who are trying to emulate something before they were even born. For a debut album, this is quite accomplished, and although it sounds totally like a Clash revival album, I don’t feel like I’m listening to one…in fact, it almost sounds like lost tapes of the Clash being released for the first time. Everything’s perfect: Matt McManamon’s Joe Strummer-like voice and uncanny ability to play guitar like Mick Jones—and their rock/dub/reggae sound is eerily similar. Normally, like listening to Jeff Martin of The Tea Party’s preposterous and sad role playing of Jim Morrison and Jimmy Page rolled-up-into-one, I’d be promptly headed to the Johnny for a tremendous sh!t, but these boys make me smile and rejoice at the fact that The Clash live on in a slightly different portrayal. —RN