The long-threatened Dirtbombs bubblegum album! If memory serves me correctly, Mick Collins’ original idea for The Dirtbombs was to have each release be a different concept. (Who woulda thunk the band responsible for Horndog Fest could have put out a pop record?) This batch o’ tunes is good, captures the spirit of ‘70s bubblegum rock, but Mick Collins has too much soul to write a true pop album. You can feel this even in the first note on the first song (“Sugar on Top”). The Dirtbombs patented fuzz is indeed present. “Crazy for You” might be the catchiest, taking you on a trip backwards in musical time, showing you how The Ramones put their own spin on bubblegum music. To me, the Beach Boys-esque trio of songs (“The Sunshine Suite”) was only good for one or two listens. I’ve often thought that the bubblegum genre is too silly and childish, relying heavily on double entendre. So with that said, the pervert in me hopes “We Come in the Sunshine” means something filthy.
–Sal Lucci (In The Red)