*Much* better than the first volume.
David Goodwin | Westchester, NY United States | 09/07/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After I had fully digested the first volume of Big Beat's "GS I Love You" series, I didn't really plan on buying this, the sequel to said volume. GS I Love You was great, but it certainly wasn't something you'd listen to all that frequently; it had a few good tunes, but the emphasis seemed to be on wackiness and general insanity, making it a tremendously entertaining but somewhat insubstantial purchase.But I went ahead and bought this anyway. And I am *very* glad I did.To sum it up: this is probably one of the best garage compilations I have. Note that I didn't qualify that...this isn't one of the "best japanese" or "non-english" garage comps I have. This is one of the best, period.Why? Unlike volume one, this volume tends to feature bands that (from all indication) tended to focus more on songs than antics or bizarre, unintentional deconstructions of American songs; indeed, most of the tunes here are in Japanese, and the few that are sung in English are (for the most part) much less...how do I put this nicely...inept than their counterparts on Volume 1. Heck, the D'Swooners' two tracks can easily pass for American tracks (although they cheat by having a Filipino vocalist, for what it's worth). But that's besides the point, as several of the groups represented on this disc have excellent material, and the excellent technical standards of Japanese studios of the day means that they sound great, too (much better than the already stellar examples on Volume 1). But let's talk specifics. Despite having a somewhat odd name, Lind and the Linders crank out two winners, and I'm amazed at the quality of the Tempters' material; think a Japanese Left Banke (a "I've Got SOmething On My Mind" and "Let Go Of You, Girl" Left Banke more than a "Pretty Ballerina" Banke), with less melancholy and more hooks. Did I mention that hooks about on this set? Several of these songs will drill into your mind...and that's a GOOD thing. Buy this. Buy this even if you got Volume 1 and were disappointed. If songcraft and execution appeal to you more than gritty garage anthems and extreme insanity (heck, tastes in this kind of material differ wildly), you'll be pleasantly surprised."
Track Listings (27) - Disc #1