Album Review: The Manges – Punk Rock Addio

Italy’s The Manges have released their fifth studio album “Punk Rock Addio“, for those whose linguistic skills don’t stretch to Italian I can confirm, by looking it up, that the title translates to a pithy “Punk Rock Goodbye“, but this is not the end for the quartet as drummer Manuel Manges confirms “The intentionally provocative album title implies a farewell record, but the truth is, we’re too dumb to quit”. If I just typed 1234 that would probably give you an idea of who has influenced the The Manges, yes this is a breakneck twelve track album influenced by the Ramones.

The Manges are approaching their 30th birthday in a few short years, and like their mentors you can’t imagine them doing anything else for as long as they live. The opening track ‘Next To Zero” is 90 seconds of pure undiluted Ramonescore and that’s pretty much what you get over the next eleven tracks. There are no surprises on “Punk Rock Addio“, every track is an energised blast that is delivered in around two minutes, giving the impression that this is an exercise in upcycling. Every song on “Punk Rock Addio” contains all the buzzsaw guitars, catchy choruses and 4/4 beat punk rock you could wish, all of which is delivered in a frantic 24 minutes, which is just as it oughta be with any album influenced by da brudders. 

For those who love the Ramones, and likes of The Methadones, Teenage Bottlerocket and The Ramonas, you will adore The Manges, they walk the walk and talk the talk, and keep the spirit of one of the most important bands in punk history alive. The Manges are doing what they love, and just as importantly they do it really well, they are the real deal, from their well worn leather jackets, one of which graces the album cover, to the soles of their battered Converse. “Punk Rock Addio” is a short sharp blast of punk rock that is pure unadulterated worship of a sound that emerged from CBGB’s back in the mists of time. 

“Punk Rock Addio” can be streamed and purchased via Bandcamp here