When a legendary band like Sublime returns with a new lead singer, it’s bound to bring up comparisons to the original frontmen. It happened with Alice in Chains, and it’s happening with Sublime. After legal disputes, Sublime returns with Rome Ramirez (from that Dirty Heads song “Lay Me Down”), now under the name Sublime with Rome. Their first single, “Panic”, is a great way to kickstart the band again. Don’t expect a perfect transition, though.
The second that “Panic” starts up, it sounds like Sublime. A triumphant mix of ska, punk, and alternative rock, “Panic” transitions in between a saxophone-guitar rush (a pace once set by Sublime’s lewd hit “Date Rape”) and a slower “Santeria”-esque jam. It’s frenetic but groovy, energized but laid-back. Rome Ramirez does a respectable job as the new frontman, doing his best to fill the shoes of the late, great Brad Nowell with a quick bout of staccato lyrics and a smooth croon in between. Ramirez feels more like a jazzy soul singer than Nowell, which does add an interesting twist, but it’s safe to say that the song retains the grooves and musical design of the rest of the Sublime crew.
However, despite having a powerful energy, the song still feels like a tribute band jam of Nowell’s Sublime. It’s a fun mashup of song styles from Sublime and will definitely get you moving, but Ramirez won’t be able to replace Nowell, just as William DuVall will never replace Layne Staley. “Panic” straddles a line between tribute and imitation, never leaning too far into either, but cautiously remaining on the fence instead of taking many risks.
Overall, however, “Panic” is a jam with that same goofy energy that made Sublime so legendary, even if Rome’s Sublime will forever be eclipsed by the accomplishments of Nowell’s.
