Over the Overlords explained

Over the Overlords
Type:studio
Artist:Naked Raygun
Cover:Naked Raygun - Over the Overlords.png
Released:August 2, 2021
Genre:Punk rock
Length:41:51
Label:Wax Trax!
Producer:
Prev Title:Raygun...Naked Raygun
Prev Year:1990

Over the Overlords is the sixth studio album by Chicago punk band Naked Raygun. It was released on August 2, 2021, on Wax Trax! Records. It is their first album in 31 years.[1]

The album features an instrumental that appears in the first and last tracks, and occasionally as interludes throughout the album, mostly with a repeating drum line.

Background

The album is notable for being the last release to feature bassist Pierre Kezdy, due to his death in October 2020.[2] Although the album was released after Pierre's death, and also featured bassist Fritz Doreza, Pierre had recorded for the album prior to his death.

The album is also notable for being the first Naked Raygun album since 1990's Raygun...Naked Raygun, and the first release of new material since the series of singles the band released in 2009, 2010, and 2011.[3]

In 2020, ProRawk Records released a compilation album titled ...On the Rawks, which featured the song "Broken Things". This would be the first release of a song from the album, although "Broken Things" would not be released as a single until November 19, 2021, along with a lyric video.

The album's first official single was "Living in the Good Times", which premiered as a music video on April 9, 2021. The music video features many fan-submitted clips of people singing the song in their homes, and contains a guest appearance from Daryl Wilson of The Bollweevils. It was filmed in and on the roof of Cobra Lounge in Chicago.

The song "Ode to Sean McKeough" is a tribute to former Cobra Lounge/All Rise Brewing owner and Riot Fest co-founder Sean McKeough, who passed away from a stroke in 2016.[4]

Track listing

Note: The CD and vinyl releases do not feature "Intro", "Vijay's Big Organ", "Eric's Across the Street", or "Outro Outre" on the printed track listing. Note: The live version of "Knock Me Down" is specified as "live in Chicago 2015" on physical releases.

Personnel

Naked Raygun

Additional musicians and production

Album art and design

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-06-04. Naked Raygun Announces First New Album in 31 Years Over The Overlords for August 2021 Release. 2022-01-27. Mxdwn.
  2. Web site: Blistein. Jon. 2020-10-09. Pierre Kezdy, Bassist for Celebrated Chicago Punks Naked Raygun, Dead at 58. 2022-01-27. Rolling Stone.
  3. Web site: Naked Raygun. 2022-01-27. Discogs.
  4. Web site: Blistein. Jon. Grow. Kory. 2016-12-01. Riot Fest Organizer Sean McKeough Dead at 42. 2022-01-27. Rolling Stone.