Search - Powerman 5000 :: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Vol. 1: Rare & Previously Unreleased '91-'96

Worthwhile Grab For Any Old-School PM5K Fan

Andrew Estes | Maine | 12/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Powerman 5000 presents the first b-sides release put out through their own independent label, Megatronic Records, titled "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, Volume 1." This release chronicles the bands beginnings as a 1990's Boston favorite, collecting rarities recorded between 1991 and 1996. All of the songs here are played much in the same vein as you may have heard on their "True Force" and "Mega Kung Fu! Radio" releases, a sound which is distantly removed from their more familiar robotic space rock style of recent. Powerman 5000 started out as a rap-metal band with a little funk thrown in for good measure, and most people not familiar with this era of their career might be turned off by this collection. Twenty tracks deep, some of the oddest Powerman 5000 moments are unearthed here, such as a brilliant cover of Bjork's "Army Of Me" and original versions of "Even Superman Shot Himself," "Boredwitcha" and "Earth Vs. Me." Little live-interludes pop-up every now and then (i.e. "B.S. One," "B.S. Two" and naturally, "B.S. Three") to break things up, but four unreleased live tracks -- "20 Miles To Texas, 25 To Hell," "Strike The Match," "What If?" and "Organizized" -- are the best part of this album for me. Live Powerman 5000 recordings are difficult to find, and hearing some really old songs live is an especially sweet treat. The artwork for the album features an array of various concert flyers from their early days, reviews by the local papers, and liner notes from the man himself, Spider. It's a great collection for anyone interested in this era of Powerman 5000 to have. While the future for this band is always uncertain (with their former label disappearing and the line-up constantly revolving), one thing is for sure: Powerman 5000's past is one hell of a history lesson."

A big mistake.

Oliver R. Laprad | MALONE, NY USA | 07/18/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I thought Transform, Tonight The Stars Revolt, and the ultra rare Anyone Fr Doomsday were brilliant. (I didn't care for Mega Kung Fu Radio). This album is full of rare and unreleased material that should have stayed in the vaults. I expecte getting another modern metal album but, its mostly full of Rap Rock which I hate. Stick with the newer material."

Funk, metal, and blues

charlie-pm5001-kruger | my own world | 10/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is a cd that hold some (20 to be exact) songs that were made from 1991 to 1996. it is insane. as a longtime powerfan, i have respected and loved the form of music they played in Mega Kung Fu Radio !!! and this cd. it is as though Hendrix teamed up with Rob Zombie and the funk master Ric James.

blasting bass lines and a double percussian blast (from drummer #1 and #2, who later joined the Blue Man Group) and guitars pulled out of some techno dreamland, the only thing left is the voice. the voice that was made is that of Spider One. a master of all things vocal. he can rap (but like the beastie boys not like the new trash) he can go jazzy (see the last track on Tonight The Stars Revolt) he can be a blasting metal screamer (see most of the stuff) and be downright bluesy (look to songs on this cd like city of the dead and slumlord).

this is a cd of songs that didn't get enough respect when they came out, and may never get it. but do your part pick it up, you will love it."