421) The Cramps - Gravest Gravy

I would imagine many people who read these reviews are more fans of alternative music than the likes of Westlife, Boyzone and Wet Wet Wet. If people who like the same sort of music as me had to name their one hundred favourite music stars and we added up the votes I have a feeling this band may appear and they have not released any new music since 2009.

Since Lux Interior’s sad death that year his partner in life, and in The Cramps, Poison Ivy retired from public life and she has kept a dignified silence, we have not heard from her, and I doubt we ever will.

This year it was announced Henry Rollins and Ian MacKaye had access to seven ¼ inch reels from back when The Cramps laid down track after track, with producer Alex Chilton back in 1977 for their debut album. Rollins and MacKaye have worked through these and the tracks have been mastered, and this will be the first release. We will have re-releases and possibly more music, imagine this was your favourite band, and you heard this news, well for some The Cramps will be their favourite band and this is huge. The big question is it any good?

Of course, it bloody is.

Let’s get it out of the way if you have fell for The Cramps then this is pure pleasure. They were the perfect band really, a frontman who could sing, holler, throw himself about and enjoyed looking good a lady next to him with a huge guitar, deciding being sexy and cool in heels was easy, a scary looking second guitarist and a cool drummer to keep the beat.

Like their debut the record opens with TV Set, the drums, guitar and Lux all much harder on this version and Weekend On Mars when Lux shouts “Let’s Go,” will make you smile, make the hair rise on your arms or a chill down your back depending who you are, an utter joy.

Name a band who sang the best song called Twist & Shout? All answer The Beatles, sorry that’s the wrong answer it’s a different song but the answer is The Cramps and Jungle Hop is simplicity with a pounding beat, but they know exactly what they are doing.

I Can’t Hardly Stand It was on the compilation Off The Bone (as is Domino much rawer from the band) but here it’s even more slowed down, but still drawing you in with Lux phrasings perfect.

Hungry we have added organ from producer Alex Chilton and with added buzz guitar that works together with the organ and Nick Knox playing it cool at the back.

Psychedelic Jungle was/is a joy but The Natives are Restless is a much faster heavier beast and slow number, Can’t Find My Mind, is played a tone faster here, we have the same beat and recurring guitar but Lux is in majestic form and Rockin’ Bones they have raw backing vocals that add to the excitement.

We have two covers to finish the Sam Phillips Rockin’ Child which shakes from the start to end and Rocket In My Pocket is a storming end to any record but one that is so good you want to go back and listen again.  The record ends with a rant from Lux as The Cramps are disturbed in the studio, a fair few f’s are used as “it’s costing him eighty bucks an hour,” money well spent.

It’s to early to give it a ten, I may have to come back on that, but this is an utter delight.

9/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Weekend On Mars