Huiii, friends... here's something brand new on wdthtc and I'm excited about the guys. We're talking about the Creeps, a Swedish four piece from Älmhult (Aha!) and active from 1986 to 1997 and the band consisted of mastermind Robert (vocals(guitar/harmonica), Anders (bass), Hans (organ), Patrick (drums). Their debut was released 1986 on Tracks On Wax and the first press was only made in 226 numbered blue vinyl copies and you can guess straight away how rare this fucker is. The Creeps were arguably the best combo of the garage revival of the Eighties and this excellent album is a journey back in time to the beat generation of the Sixties and they never forgot the R&B roots under the fuzz, they put on a few dance and instrumental numbers on their debut and awesome ballads.
A review: "Ever since the release of the 1972 Nuggets: Original Artyfacts comp there have been bands like the Creeps, and most likely there always will be. The Swedish retro act aims squarely at mid-'60s garage rock, aping the bands that aped the Yardbirds, but thanks to inspired playing and inventive arrangements, they succeed in adding to the tradition rather than just running in place. Recorded with period-appropriate atmosphere (i.e. a thick, dirty echo), the Creeps bang out nine originals that channel the Animals and Them, delivered with power and precision. "Down at the Nightclub" leads off Enjoy the Creeps with a stiff swing and a booze-positive philosophy, then breaks down with a jazzy piano coda. Other highlights include the lascivious "Hi, Hi, Pretty Girl," the Farfisa-driven instrumental "Rattlesnake Shake" and the frantic drum rolls and fuzz solo on "Ain't No Square." A medley of Sonics covers ("Maintaining My Cool" and "I'm A Rolling Stone") is reverent and energetic, but won't change anyone's mind about the wild, rambunctious Northwest originals. In fact, the only thing missing on Enjoy the Creeps is a sense of true abandon, that apocalyptic spark that makes the most primitive, boneheaded garage bands like the Count Five or the Seeds so eternal. The Creeps are musicians, not punks, and while there's no lack of get-down vitality to their sound, they won't take the listener anywhere except the dancefloor. However, their pugnacious take of the obscure, middle-finger anthem "City of People" seethes with defiance ("Baby don't you mess with me/Cuz you know you could never bring me down/Hey Hey Hey!"), equaling the sneer of the original 1966 Illusions single, and nearly matching Fireworks' vicious 1995 rewrite as "City of Assholes." Garage rock revivalists will find lots to move to on Enjoy the Creeps, but the band didn't stay tied down to their nostalgic muse for long. The Creeps modified their sound in later years, taking on more modern elements with soul/funk textures that earned them a Swedish Grammy, and a big hit in their homeland with "Ooh, I Like It" in 1990." (Fred Beldin)
"Positively lives up to its title. This is a must for any fan of Swedish garage, or any garage music." (Dogtowne, MRR #40 Sep.1986) - Fits, fantastic stuff!
- Great Thx to Fredrik -
Tolle Überraschung!
ReplyDeleteWoher du immer die die seltenen und ausgefallenen Alben zauberst - Einmalig!!!
Ich habe genau diese Album gekauft, als es rauskam (allerdings leider nicht in blauem Vinyl, soweit ich mich erinnere). Ich tue mir zwar bißchen schwer es wirklich in ein Genre einzuteilen, aber gerade das hat das Album zu so etwas Besonderem gemacht, weil es einfach ein ganz besonderer Stil ist, den die Band spielt.
Ich habe die Platte seit mindestens 25 Jahren nicht mehr gehört, umso mehr freue ich mich sie mir Heute noch mal richtig laut anzuhören und vor allem die Texte zu verstehen. Schließlich war ich grad mal 12, als ich mir die Platte gekauft hatte und meine Englischkenntnisse dementsprechend gering waren.
Vielen Dank für den Upload! Ganz großes Album!!!