“Sometimes good guys don't wear white but, fronted by Bill Carter, The Screaming Blue Messiahs come across like the meanest and darkest of them all.
Back, after a long silence, with dual openers 'Sweet Water Pools' and 'Bikini Red', the Messiahs appear to have fled the madness of the city and taken refuge on safe and starlit beaches. But that's on the surface only. The post-'Gun-Shy' Messiahs are as obsessed as ever with concrete, cars and homicide only this time their psyche is more deranged, their delivery more manic. Take the dance destruction of 'All Shook Down', the slow grind of 'Big Brother Muscle' or the effortless rock 'n' roll of '55 The Law' which features Michael Ryan and Jerry Lee Lewis in a suburban breakout: "I didn't like my neighbours so I blew them all away, didn't like my neighbours on such a nice day". 'Too Much Love' and 'Sweet Water Pools' both reek of a similar desire to escape and annihilate, but 'Bikini Red' reveals a sharp sense of humour as well. This is drawn out on the combat Clash crunch of 'I Can Speak American' and more immediately on 'I Wanna Be A Flintstone' and 'Jesus Chrysler Drives A Dodge'. That said, the song this record is most likely to be remembered for is a distinct departure from anything the Messiahs have done before. It's the closing 'Waltz', a eulogy for Carter's mother and a fine testament to love and life. The Screaming Blue Messiahs might never get round to wearing white, but their hearts are still beating in all the right places.” Anyway if you fancy a blast you know what to do!
6 comments:
Great stuff Nuzz. Cheers for that. I've created a blog of my own at last. Have a look mate when you've got a spare moment and if you'd be so kind, can you add me to your bloglist. Cheers
luv the messiahs! any chance of posting 'gun shy' and 'totally religious' as well?
tuneluvinjacket.blogspot did post all sbm albums before, but the blog is dead.
Yah!!! Jesus Chrysler drives a Dodge!
Thanks, Nuzz
thanks very much. One of the best live bands I ever saw.
Great great GREAT band. Had a chance to see 'em live once (dead early on) & blew it. I am an idiot. I still have the records though. Immense! IBx
get a re-up for a friendly anarcho-syndicalist? SBM kick out the jams.
Post a Comment