Reissue of pre-Three O'Clock LP by The Salvation Army
hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 06/19/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This was originally released under the name of The Salvation Army. With the charity group threatening a lawsuit, the band changed their name to The Three O'Clock (and added a member). This reissue features a number of bonus tracks.As the Salvation Army, the band had a harder garage sound, more oriented to the punk sounds of The Seeds than the Three O'Clock's poppier psychedelia. More acid than pot. More Thirteenth Floor Elevator than Byrds or early Bee Gees.Fans of the Three O'Clock's first few releases ("Baroque Hoedown" "Sixteen Tambourines") may find the Salvation Army a bit raw, but much of the same sensibility is present, if perhaps not rendered so finely."
One of the best...
Elric the Lesser | Los Angeles | 04/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I remember when the Salvation Army releaed their first '45. For me, it was pure magic. Along with the Salvation Army were bands like the Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, and the Bangs (known as the Bangles after being threatened with a law suit...just like the 'Three O'clock') and several more of the so-called "Paisley underground" scene in Los Angeles. These bands melded punk rock sensibilities with thick psychadelia and refreshing, 60's style garage rock vibes. In my view, the Three O'clock were among the best.
What is really great about this re-release is that they include the earliest recordings, when the band sounded their best. I liked their first full album (also included here), but MUCH prefered the guitars and mix on the singles. It is amazing how much great music passed under the radar back then...because radio should have been playing this stuff all the time.
I have had a HARD time trying to locate a good copy of their first '45. Believe it or not, they run upwards of $50 if you can find one.
They were a great band, and a great foil for the harder stuff (Black Flag, Circle Jerks, et al.), and were a gas live.
Highly recommended if you like a fresh, raw take on psychedelia.
"