Album Review: If I Love You I’ve Wasted My Time by Jerry And The Remnants
Alright, let’s talk about this little slice of 1966 goodness. If I Love You I’ve Wasted My Time is one of those albums that sneaks up on you like a stray cat in an alley—scrappy, raw, and kinda unforgettable once it sinks its claws in. Released under the Gini label (ever heard of it? Me neither), this US-born gem blends garage rock grit with ballad-y heartbreak vibes. It’s like someone took The Beatles’ mop-top charm, dunked it in a bucket of teenage angst, and called it a day.
First off, props to Jerry York for writing these tunes—he clearly had something to say, even if he wasn’t sure how to spell “wasted” properly (checks title again). Producer Glen Law deserves a nod too; dude knew how to keep things simple but punchy, which honestly feels rare these days.
Now, onto the tracks. Let’s zoom in on two standouts because ain’t nobody got time to review every single song.
Track 1: “I’ve Wasted My Time”
This opener hits hard right outta the gate. Imagine a guy sitting alone in his room, staring at a cracked ceiling while questioning all his life choices—that’s this track in audio form. The guitars are crunchy enough to give it that garage-rock edge, but there’s also this weirdly tender undertone, like Jerry’s trying to convince himself he doesn’t care when we all know he totally does. The chorus sticks in your brain like gum under a school desk—it’s catchy, slightly annoying, and impossible to ignore.
Track 2: “If I Love You…”
Oh man, where do I start? This one leans more into the ballad side of things, and wow, does it tug at the ol’ heartstrings. Picture this: dim lights, a smoky bar, and Jerry crooning about love gone wrong. There’s a vulnerability here that makes you wanna pat him on the back and buy him a drink—or maybe just cry into your beer alongside him. The lyrics aren’t gonna win any poetry awards, but they’re real, ya know? Like, painfully so. By the end, you might find yourself muttering, “Jerry, buddy, we’ve ALL been there.”
So yeah, this album ain’t perfect. Some parts feel rough around the edges, and sure, the production screams mid-60s budget constraints. But isn’t that what makes it lovable? It’s messy, heartfelt, and unapologetically human—all wrapped up in 30-ish minutes of pop-rock goodness.
Final thought: Listening to If I Love You I’ve Wasted My Time feels like flipping through an old yearbook. You’ll laugh at the awkwardness, cringe at the earnestness, and maybe even shed a tear over memories you didn’t realize you had. Oh, and fun fact—if you play it backwards, I’m pretty sure it predicts the invention of TikTok. Just saying.
Rating: 7/10 – worth a spin if you dig vintage vibes and emotional chaos!
