It helps if you've seen them live
Davdi Sutom | San Francisco, CA USA | 12/04/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"OK, the sound quality on this isn't the best, but it ain't half bad either. Not quite as good as Smell of Female. The psychotic CRAMPS energy is definitely there, manifested by massive chunks of guitar spew and big drum beats and Lux's maniacally musical vocals. Having seen them live I can picture what was happening on stage when this was recorded, and it must have been a blast of a show. Definitely recommended for Cramps fans."
The Cramps-'Rockin'&Reelin' In Auckland,NZ'(Vengeance)
Mike Reed | USA | 11/01/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"SMOKING!!I've been wanting to get a copy of 'Rockin'...' for a few months now.Was recorded at the Galaxy in Aukland,New Zealand on Aug.30,1986.Notice the recording has some fuzz and slight distortion intact,but maybe the producer of the disc meant for it to be that way.Really doesn't deter from the quality of the CD,at least I didn't think so.A lot of this live set draws from the band's 'Date With Elvis' album.Lux,Ivy&crew rip through a set of classic rambunctious psychobilly as ONLY they can.So many upbeat tracks to mention here,like "Hot Pearl Snatch","Sunglasses After Dark",an Elvis cover of "Heartbreak Hotel","Do The Clam" and "Can Your Pussy Do The Dog".The three bonus cuts tagged on are okay.Better than their 'Smell Of Female' CD(see my review of that disc).A must-have for any true Cramps fan."
Not that lively a live album :(
Davdi Sutom | 08/25/2002
(2 out of 5 stars)
"When I started buying the remastered recordings made by the Cramps, my collection had included this live album. I thought it was good at first because it introduced me to some of the songs from "A Date with Elvis" and "Songs the Lord Taught Us," but after a while I realized as a live album it lacked something. Maybe it was low on excitement or it was just plain cheesy.
If you are a Cramps fan currently looking for a live album, buy "Smell of Female," because that recording is so much better than this one. "Smell of Female" not only has a lot of original songs, but it is fueled by the adrenaline "Rockin" lacks."