'Let Loose the Pack!'
Paul Ess. | Holywell, N.Wales,UK. | 09/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Considering the talent on view here, it remains the biggest scandal in rock's murky and dishonest history, that the excellent Zoo record label isn't on the quivering lips of every pop whippersnapper, now as we speak. Today.
The quality of this album is astonishing, not a second is wasted. From the Teardrops mad dance to the Wild Swans pop anthems, from Echo's haunting acoustic psychedelics to the genuinely disturbing, grinding rock of Big in Japan, Zoo had it all.
Each song is bursting joyously with the (al)mighty sense of Liverpool's proud rock history, and each tiny little fledgling group glows with the confident certainty of it`s spiritual legacy.
It tears me apart (again), when I think of what became of every single group on this compilation. The band's that didn't split, went on to major labels, world tours, festivals and much embarrassment to those of us who stuck our necks out from the hostile rockist jungle to support them. But let's sheath the sabre this once, in honour of the misty, fondly held memories of youth.
I believed in Zoo like I believed in Joy Division, I believed as only a young man who-NEEDS-something-to-believe-in can. And they never let me down, never betrayed that trust.
I believe, in a world where rampant commercialism killed the hippy dream, Zoo stayed true.
As compilations go, this is just about as good as it gets."
Interesting collection of rare tracks but..
yipyipcoyote | 07/17/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"..one quick peek at the booklet reveals the following statement, "Tracks have been mastered from disc due to the loss of the original master tapes", and then you realise all those loud clicks and pops you're hearing are NOT intentional.. what a shame, cos there are some real gems here by the likes of Big In Japan, Lori & the Chameleons, Expelaires and the Wild Swans. the inferior sound quality also means that this music will never rise above relative obscurity."
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1