Compulsion grew out of "Thee Amazing Colossal Men" whose "Totale" album in 1990 was OK but really failed to set the world on fire. The guitarist Garrett Lee (Good Name) then formed Compulsion, they released a few EP's and a half decent album in "Comforter 1994" however it wasn't until "The Future Is Medium" that the band realised their full sound and potential. This is a stunning album -yes it's heavy in the distorted guitar stakes but what really sticks after listening to this is the tunes - they were as melodic as the bloody Beatles on this one noted in the nod to the great band in "Lost On Abbey Road". The first sixteen songs (see what I did there?)on the album highlight just good this band were - fast guitar music played pitch perfectly, loads of nods to pain, death, sex, monsters, Sgt Peppers and various other 60's icons forget Oasis here is a band that can pay homage without shoving it in your face, check out "it's Great" or "Fast Songs"- the Pixies would have given their right arm for those tunes. Other highlights in an album full of them are " Western Culture Collector" - spine tingling dual vocals competing against each other, "Down The Edifice" which I'm pretty sure "3 Colours Red" must have used for revision notes before starting their band. The album finishes with the epic "Me" which highlights Garrett Lee's future direction as "Jacknife Lee" producer to the stars.Some call it Punk, some call it PowerPop some call it bollocks like "New Wave of New Wave" - forget all that it's just a cracking record by a cracking band who never got their dues. I have never seen this album in any Irish best album list and yet Ash's average 1977 always appears - there may be a God but he surely works in mysterious ways?
On a personal note - my copy is that of a once very good friend who I haven't seen in about 9 years - Yes I stole his copy and No he will never get it back.
01. All We Heard Was A Dull Thud
02. Question Time For The Proles
03. Juvenile Scene Detective
04. It's Great
05. They're Bleeding The Grey Things
06. Fast Songs
07. Western Culture Collector
08. Happy Monsters
09. Belly Laugh
10. Is This Efficient Living?
11. Down The Edifice
12. Happy Ending
13. Burst
14. Lost On Abbey Road
15. Spotlight Into Space
16. Me
02. Question Time For The Proles
03. Juvenile Scene Detective
04. It's Great
05. They're Bleeding The Grey Things
06. Fast Songs
07. Western Culture Collector
08. Happy Monsters
09. Belly Laugh
10. Is This Efficient Living?
11. Down The Edifice
12. Happy Ending
13. Burst
14. Lost On Abbey Road
15. Spotlight Into Space
16. Me
5 comments:
Woooo fantastic !!! Thanks a lot for Compulsion. Do you have the compilation (I don't remember the name) with "Yabba yabba yes yes yes" ?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers Garrett
Excellent work. Left for work this morning and put Celebrate on in the car. Arrived home this evening to the sounds of Juvenile Scene Detective.
2 cracking bands. Who's next????
I think the compilation was "I Love Compulsion" - I never got it as I thinki had everything on it anyway - including Yabba - mighty fine song it is too...
Yes - good old Celebrate Simon - I really like All I Am on that album - great song and as for Juvenile Scene Detective - classic - bet you weren't abiding by the speed limits to that one?
Great bog, love the music , it reminds me my youth , any chance to have a new link for Compulsion, it doesn't work now ?
Filip from France
Can you please post this again???
Post a Comment