Barfly

Description

Fire Records announce release of the first full studio recording from the legendary Rocket From The Tombs. The group that spawned Pere Ubu and the Dead Boys. This is their first ever release in 37 years. Fire will also reissue the 2002 collection of live recordings and b-sides, 'The Day The Earth Met the Rocket From the Tombs'. It's the ultimate understatement to say we're excited to be releasing Rocket From The Tombs first studio album. The five-piece from Cleveland, Ohio called it a day in 1975 and in the ashes of Rocket From the Tombs the lads released material in bands Pere Ubu, Dead Boys and Stiv Bators. However, it was their work in Rocket From The Tombs that would inform the sound in their later projects, "Ain't It Fun" would continue to be played in Cheetah Chrome's group Dead Boys amongst others while David Thomas utilized "Final Solution" in Pere Ubu.2002 saw the first official release of Rocket From the Tombs culling bootlegs, demos and live rarities on the universally loved The Day The Earth Met Rocket From The Tombs', which went on to influence bands today affirming Rocket From The Tombs songs are as imperative now as they were 37 years ago. Barfly' opens with head turner "I Sell Soul", a feverish rock number offering up all of the meat and none of the gristle, Thomas continues, "It's a brazen and unapologetic re-affirmation of the power of guitar rock, direct but also possessing great depth of texture and subtlety with a heavy dose of bad attitude." From feel-good track "Sister Love Train" to the heartfelt "Romeo and Juliet". Rocket From the Tombs have delivered the holy grail of damaged garage rock. 37 years in the waiting ! Review: Better late than never - I suppose it speaks to my lack of keeping up these days (years), but I only recently discovered this was out there. Sheer negligence on my part, as I try to keep up with anything Richard Lloyd-related. Oh well, better late than never and, based on only two other reviews here, clearly I must not be alone. In any case, as I understand it, since this was released nearly a year ago, I understand the Lloyd and Cheetah Chrome have both bowed out of subsequent touring and other activities for RFT, so this may end up a sawn song. I hope not, but if so, what a way to go. Rocket Redux was an absolute revelation - searing, soring and a testament to both a great body of songs and the incredible vitality of the gents nearly 30 years on. While the original recordings, as primatively recorded as they were ( Day the Earth Met the Rocket From the Tombs ), still sound magical and vital, the new recordings ( Rocket Redux ) topped them, not only in sonic quality, but in sheer force and power. Second chance with a vengence. Barfly is not an album with the same MO. It does, instead, harken closer to early Pere Ubu. This is probably not such a surprise since this is, after all, new material. Barfly is not as immediately lapel-shaking, if you will. It is, though, a wonderful record made by a group in complete control of their talents, tendencies and sensibilities. Start to finish, there is not a bum track on the record and at its best (I Sell Soul; Butcherhouse 4; Birthday; Six and Two), this ranks with the finest work of any and all of the involved. Heck, Sister Love Train is so good, they did it twice, in both a Stax horns version and a flat-out rocker version - both are terrific. The sound here is more open and sparse than on Redux. David Thomas' lyrics are closer to the humor of his Ubu work than the late 70's (This is me, sitting on the couch / Don't I look happy?). His voice, too, is a little more weather-beaten, though he can still caterwall when called for. The guitar lines and solos are more angular and pointed, which fits the songs' structures and textures. This IS a rock'n'roll record, to be sure, but certainly not in any rootsy sense. If Barfly does end up being the last we hear of RFT on record, so be it. I hope not, but if so, this is a great bang to go out with. Even if it took me a while to hear it. Point is, I now KEEP hearing, over and over and will do so for a long time. Review: Five Stars - Great stuff.