Album review: What the Hell EP by Ram Vela & the Easy Targets nails pop punk irony

Back at the end of June, Ram Vela & the Easy Targets dropped their new EP, What the Hell. The record is filled with pop punk irony on par with West Coast punk heroes The Offspring or the irreverent Reel Big Fish. The difference is Vela’s biting lyrics which belie his quite joyous music which will not doubt spawn countless solo dance parties while folks stream this gem from the group’s Bandcamp page. The lyrical intelligence, experienced songwriting sensibilities and exceptional musicianship are all present in this work. In fact, we’d call it a quintessentially Austin record made with a nod to the 1990s punk heyday when Liberty Lunch and Raul’s ruled the local scene with acts like Big Boys and The Dicks.

Vela and his crew enlisted Matt Parmenter of Ice Cream Factory Studios to produce the record. The results speak for themselves as the band ended up for four equally great tunes that capture the essence and more importantly the energy Vela brings to the stage. Thirty seconds into a Ram Vela show, you unquestionably accept that this man is not only a talented musician, the guy loves performing. His unbridled joy is readily apparent and soon transfers to his audience like the best kind of contagion.

The group’s own assessment of their work is spot-on: “Packed with catchy hooks, driving guitar riffs, and plenty of chanting vocals, the album is a short and sweet representation of their energetic live shows and captures the mood of these crazy, stupid, and anxious times.”

Track one, “Fight or Flight” possesses a pop-punk anthemic tone with harmonized verses interspersed with Vela’s plaintive and clear vocals… “HOW LONG Will this last?!! I’m freaking out!” The refrain is oddly catchy punctuated by heavy rock percussion and some deft guitar work by Nathan Snyder and Vela. If this song doesn’t grab your attention you may want to consider having your doctor check your pulse for signs of life. Vela demonstrates from the jump that he can make even the most desperate lyrics sound joyous and untethered. It’s a neat trick the man employs throughout this four-song party in an EP you’ll want to blast in your car as you wave your fists at all the terrible motorists on Mopac (looking at you Evil Mopac) cutting you off.

The album just gets better with “Reunited (And it Feels Like Shit)” with it’s wry, cynical look at legacy acts getting back together to play one last tour. The cynical tone of this song belies an experienced, long-time artist who knows the reality of music is many are talented and few are rewarded for their dedication to their craft.“We’re breaking up and gettin back together like a metal band past their prime” Despite the glum tone of the lyrics, the listener cannot help grinning at the refrain, “Reunited and it feels like shit!” coming trough at the end of the track without cracking a smirking smile. It’s just too good.

“F.O.G.O.,” the third song on the record is another ditty you’ll have trouble forgetting soon.  Be afraid, be very afraid is their motherfuckin’ model! Another juicy guitar solo squeezed into the morass of rock and layers of cynicism and defeat, “waking up is hard to do”The Easy Targets’ harmonized vocals wrapping the song’s outro remind us we’re listening to some talented players in Vela on lead vocals and guitars with Nathan Snyder (guitars, vocals) and Rachel “Spanky” Fuhrer holding down drums and percussion with their “secret weapon,” Lead Producer, Matt Parmenter (who played bass for Quiet Company for years) playing weird synth sounds and contributing vocals.

Finally the title track came last with, “What the Hell.” The song features heavy drums at the intro like the first song or rather, a bookend to a well-executed recording. It is also a gift to music fans. Guitar wailing with Parmenter’s aforementioned weird synths start a warning before getting into some simple but powerful chord progressions. Vela’s vocals are heard loud and clear amid the joyous music which at times sounds almost sitar-like with Middle Eastern vibes coming with the mini guitar solo.

“What the hell just happened?!!… we’re going our separate ways” intones Vela with a sense of bewilderment and stunned disposition. 

All of this added up to fantastic little record that will commiserate with you on bad days and buoy you to new heights on the good ones. What more can you ask for in an EP realistically? This one delivers every step of the way.

Follow Ram Vela & the Easy Targets on Spotify.

Catch Ram Vela and the Easy Targets this Saturday (June 29) at Hole in the Wall with Sweet Slacks & Jay Satellite. Doors open at 8pm.

Album art photo by Alison Narro for FFF Fest

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