The Fuzztones -- Lysergic Emanations

  Psychedelic Punk gurus The Fuzztones, are in my opinion the best Garage Revival band of all time ... question is, is this really a revival album ... no I don't think so ... they took the genre to a new heights, just like the Blues being re-invented over and over again ... I read some critics say they are just a bar band playing cover tunes, but f*ck that sh*t, these guys (and gal) are the real deal, it's proven in their rad originals, from straight up 60's punk numbers to a flamenco driven Doors-ish opus and even a Beefhearty noise experiment ... it's all done beautifully because they practice what they preach ... Ya Dig!

The Inmates -- First Offence

  Total write-off Garage Revival band, The Inmates.  Their music doesn't bring anything new to the table.  The only listenable tracks on the album covers songs, Dirty Water and Midnight To Six Man ... otherwise their First Offence, should have been their last offence ...

The Satelliters -- Wylde Knights Of Action!

  90's Garage Punk outfit, The Satelliters ... for the most part I love these Garage revival bands, but I don't like this one, not that the songs are all that bad, it's the sound that sucks, loud tinny drums, cheesy sounding fuzz, and the singer's awful Reg Presley (The Troggs) impression ... no thanks ...

Them -- Backtrackin'

  Backtrackin' is a compilation LP, due to label disputes, who ownes what, and who could release it, only certain numbers could make it on this album, for example you've got Baby, Please Don't Go, but no Gloria, they were on the same 45, ya dig.  In a nut shell, Them are a Garage Rock outfit, who got lumped in the British Invasion even though they're Irish.  They sound similar to The Animals, but with a raw-er hard Blues sound, poignantly louder charismatic vocals and grittier lyrics.  Although this comp does feature a lot of covers, a personal favorite of mine is Them's version of Simon & Garfunkel's Richard Cory, they took the tune and gave the lyrics the sound that was a far better match for it than a Folk Rock duo could.  Them and Morrison have quite the acclaim, but I feel they deserve more, Morrison is a brilliant song writer and poet, somehow the other Morrison got all the attention ... but he wasn't a short weird lookin' Irishman!

The Allman Brothers Band -- At Fillmore East

  Live virtuoso Southern Blues double LP masterpiece.  Unlike other Southern bands they ditch the Hard Rock style and focus on traditional Blues with Jazz improvisations ... apparently the band was so into the concert it lasted well into the early hours of the morning, only noticeable to them when someone opened a door and the sunlight crept it's way into the Fillmore.   The album stands as a last testament of guitar legend Duane Allman (their next release Eat A Peach had some live tracks taken from the Fillmore concerts, not featured on this set) ... and what is that he's hiding in his hand on the cover with the sh*t eating grin?  Hmmmmm, maybe a little dose of inspiration?

Love -- Da Capo

  Love seems uncertain if they're Punks or if they're Hippies, better yet, it's the same goddamn thing -- well sorta.  Seven and Seven Is is pure 60's Punk Rock and the rest of the album is erratic lush Jazz infused break beaten music. Closing track, the whole B-side, Revelation, is an eighteen minute out Doorsing the Doors Blues/ Jazz Psychedelic freak out, yips and yelps included.

Del Shannon -- Greatest Hits

  The original sarcastic bitter bear of Rock 'n' Roll, Del Shannon!  His lyrics speak to just about any dork whose been dumped or let down by women, but that's just the start, what Del really loved was subtle revenge, guiltless third party voyeuristic pleasure giving his Hat(s) Off To Larry.  The Musitron keyboard's strange sound helps set the bizarre mood for most of Shannon's numbers.  Unfortunately for Del, he faded into obscurity, dwindling away in alcoholism and eventually took his own life.  At least we'll always have Shannon's unique version of Rock 'n' Roll to help us feel not so alone when we're in the throws of a bitter break up.