Fantasmorific 60s obscurity.
Laszlo Matyas | 06/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The second volume in Sundazed Records' series of garage rock compilations is a twenty-track joy, a disc that no garage fan can afford to pass up. The songs are tough, tight, and energetic, anchored around angry teenage vocalists, moaning electric organs, and exhilleratingly crude guitar chords. The whole collection is positively driping with the basic essentials of rock n roll: unrestrained sexual frustration, unhinged excitement, and an unapologetically self-styled sense of cool. It really is a life force.
Anyway, the best songs include a salivating groin-grinder courtesy of the Things to Come (I don't know if their name is supposed to be an innuendo, but I sure hope it is) entitled "Sweetgina," as well as the Mad Hatters' soulful, grooving "Chicks are for Kids," and the Bold's pounding, snarling, flailing "Gotta Get Some." The Jynx do a creeping, understated (sorta) take on Van Morrison's "Little Girl," and the Ugly Ducklings transform the Bo Diddly-penned "I'm A Man" into a five-minute instrumental meltdown that rocks somethin' mighty. The Menn sound bitter and restless on the excellent "Things to Come" (no, it has nothing to do with the band that did "Sweetgina!"), and the Gestures' "I'm Not Mad" is a great harmonica-driven tune. There are also a few (relatively) obscure from more (relatively) well-known bands: The Guess Who's "Believe Me" is a pounding anthem with a killer electric piano solo, and the Sonics' "You Got Your Head on Backwards" is a mean little blues-rocker with a greased-up guitar line, and Boston's legendary Remains are represented by a raw, relentless demo recording of their classic "Why Do I Cry" that goes some way toward explaining their reputation as incredible live performers. The Litter (known for their brutal classic "Action Woman") turn in a tight, searing little ditty entitled "Whatcha Gonna Do About It."
And there's more where that came from! Pick this disc up and crank everything up to 10- you'll have a blast!"
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1