Search - Compulsive Gamblers :: Bluff City

Post-Oblivians Drunken Mayhem

07/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"During the 6 years between "Gamblin' Days Are Over" and "Bluff City", Greg Cartwright and Jack Yarber, AKA Greg and Jack Oblivian, were 2/3 of The Oblivians, perhaps the best practitioners anywhere of deranged, out-of-kilter Memphis R&B-tinged Rock & Roll. They have improved dramatically as musicians and singers over this time, although, I'm delighted to say, appear to be as demented as ever as far as their song subject matter ("One-Eyed Girl", "Pepper Spray Boogie", etc.). They still kick major ass as a band, and I've read reviews comparing Greg's vocals to Mick Jagger, and these songs as outtakes from "Exile On Main Street" (something nobody would have dared say 6 years ago). An excellent LP/CD by two major talents. Two questions - (1) Why all the rockers on one side, and the ballads on the other? (2) It's bloody obvious that it's Alex Chilton playing and singing on "I Don't Want to Laugh at You". Why isn't he credited? Is it mandatory that he participate in all recordings made in memphis? Don't get me wrong, I love Alex, but his solo stuff since he's sobered up has gone downhill."

Excellent, excellent blues/country/punk/whatever.

02/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At first listen, I hated nearly all the songs on this CD. They're produced much tighter than anything the Oblivians ever did. But, on just the second run, I caught the genius in the songs and fell in love. Surprisingly enough, I found myself comparing this CD to some Misfits stuff. The occasional supernatural imagery and the dead-on Danzig vocals on "One Eyed Girl" sealed that. Buy this."