Busy Body!
rock's chosen warrior | 08/19/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"When I first heard The Sonics when I was younger of course I was bowled over. A good friend once talked about how there was rock n roll that everyone knew, and then a real, raw version that rarely made it to people. That's how I felt about The Sonics, a more real version of rock n roll being played by a band most people would never hear. With that said, I became a fan.
As a fan when I saw this release I knew I had to have it. Most Sonics fans probably had the same reaction and in some ways that's who this record is for, fans.
Originally hearing them I often daydreamed about what they would have been like live. Young and full of the energy that is so high it even transferred in to the studio. I read the stories about riots and cops stealing door money and just thought, "I bet these guys were amazing live" so when I saw this I thought I would finally get to find out. After listening to the record I can't say that I completely got the experience I was looking for but what's amazing is that I discovered a new Sonics that I hadn't heard before.
The Sonics were a great band. This record, most of which is instrumental, showcases the Sonics in a different way than I was used to. It exposes talents that were buried underneath trademark howls, raw energy, and straightforward numbers. It's not that I didn't think they were a good band to begin with, it's just that with the studio stuff the vocals are so much a part of the sound that I feel like I really never separated them from the music that was being played. This record gives you a chance to do just that and realize that while the vocals were a big part of the Sonics, it didn't make them.
Aside from that subjective rant, the audio quality is decent, except on tracks with vocals, which are, at points, barely audible. The recording is as raw as the Sonics were and in some ways adds a charm I would expect out of a live album from this band.
If you're a fan you already have this, or probably should get it. As a fan I really wanted to give this 4 stars. But I wouldn't want to trick people are not fans so I gave it 3 stars for them.
If you haven't heard the Sonics I wouldn't start with this. However, odds are that if you do go back and listen to those early albums this one will make it's way to your turntable eventually.
"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1