Memphis-based punk rocker Ryan Kidd (The Disconnects, The Undead) has released his second solo album, and the title and cover art leave no room for misunderstanding what this is about: Rock N Rule.
Across 13 tracks, Ryan Kidd the songwriter mixes sneering humor with brusque sincerity—celebrating low-life realism in opening track Can’t Fool Me, finding solidarity in People Like Us, and admitting raw heartbreak in Scars on My Heart and I Don’t Wanna Be a Lonely Boy. He skewers rock clichés with wit (in Rock’N’Roll Is Fat And Ugly—basically a cover of a tune from the Hard Core Logo Soundtrack, but with new lyrics), while paying homage to his heroes with gleeful name-drops in Chidley: “When I’m feeling down, Marc Bolan always treats me right.” The record swings between defiance, vulnerability, paranoia, and possibility, but always circles back to the DIY ethic—three chords, bad smells, and the basement as church.
Ryan Kidd the singer/guitarist has no trouble keeping us fans engaged. He shouts and riffs like no other, authentic and convincing, loud and proud, leaving no doubt: Rock N Rule.
Rock N Rule, produced by Ryan Kidd and Dr Oktober, is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Human B-Side Records. Featuring Ryan Kidd (guitar, vocals), Dr Oktober (bass, synth), and Markus Ramone (drums).