Excellent New Release!
T.B. | 04/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a 2 cd release, the first cd has 10 IRS era tracks from the three studio albums remixed by guitarist/founding member Brian James from the original 24 track master tapes, and the 2nd disc is a 1982 live concert from their first album tour from an uncredited date/venue in the UK.
First off and most importantly, the remixed tracks are a revelation. Just about every song is a vast improvement over the original songs' versions. Many songs have bits of extra lead-in instrumental music, unedited vocal bits, etc that give the tracks a much more raw, live in the studio feel. Especially songs from the debut album have a much more immediate, in-your-face feel to them without sounding heavy handed from the new production. The songs from "Method To Our Madness" sound most like the original album versions, but even those sound fresh with punchier guitar. And after 23+ years, die hard fans finally get something close (actually better than) the original European mix of the title track without the overdubbed guitar on the song's guitar hook, plus Stiv's previously unheard extra lyrics just before the guitar solo. My only quibble with this disc is the somewhat odd track selection from the first two albums (no Holy War, Russian Roulette, Open Your Eyes, Dance With Me........) but considering this set is called "Rockers," perhaps Brian's saving those for a future release.
The second disc's is a standard '82 era show set, however several songs have been probably edited from the last half of this recording, thus no cover of The Rolling Stones' Fortune Teller along with original 1st album songs Portabello and Apocalypso. Also, Stiv Bator seems more sedate and less talkative between songs than other shows I've heard from this tour. On the plus side, the recording itself is fairly well balanced and especially Brian's guitar is very up front in the mix compared to other '82 era shows I've heard.
All in all, a huge surprise how well this turned out and an essential purchase for the hardcore Lords fans or anyone looking for some truly unique early 80's punk/goth rock n' roll. Fingers crossed for a future release of more remixed tracks."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1