Street Life in the Shadows of High Society
Produced by Ray Manzarek - who also plays organ - the 1980 release had nine selections and featured the unique vocal interplay between Exene Cervenka and bassist John Doe, with the rhythm pounded out by drummer DJ Bonebrake and guitar licks from Billy Zoom. In a few seconds more than 28 minutes, X revolutionized the American punk movement and delivered incredible punch to the emerging West Coast sound.
The sizzling cover of the Doors' Soul Kitchen is alone worth the price of admission. Johnny Hit and Run Pauline, Los Angeles, Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not and Sex and Dying in High Society are landmark originals. There are five bonus tracks that brings the total CD time to nearly 40 minutes.
The California punk scene was smashing into gear as the East Coast version was nearly finished imploding. X shows the way for the new wave of punk that valiantly kept the movement alive through music chronicling street life in the shadows of high society. .
catchy, melodic sonic assault on your ears
I bought this shortly after it came out in the early 80s. I can't add much more than most of the reviews here have already gushed. Some of the songs are quite short, but they pack quite an aural punch.
The thing that set X apart, I think, is that (as some already mentioned in their reviews) the individuals in the group weren't merely using punk aesthetics, enthusiasm and DIY chutzpah that epitomized that time and era of independent music; they were already good MUSICIANS.
I would add that above and beyond good musicianship, the members of X knew how to craft great songs. The songs stick in your mind because they are quite catchy, but not in a sickly-sweet, pop-music, commercial sense. Unlike some punk bands who barely knew how to play their instruments (not that there's anything wrong with that; to this day, I don't think Keith Richards can sight read music at all), X knew how to play their instruments WELL and how to write songs. Thus they created a specific, unique sound that carefully married song structure (verse, chorus, verse, etc. ) with melody and rhythm sections, upbeat tempoes (for the most part), and without the annoying dissonance and amateurism that mars many efforts of bands who were flashes in the pan.
I saw X several years ago at a local House of Blues show and they STILL pack the same punch live. The songs stand the test of time, even those that refer to low-tech dodges that, for the most part, no longer exist (Your Phone's Off The Hook, But You're Not) (everyone's got cell phones or land lines that go to voicemail or answering machines, now).
Great stuff, highly recommended. .
Ah, X.
One of the finer genres to my musical taste. Punk rock. Fast, loud, and just plain great, this record is definately one of the finer moments in punk history, with X displaying not only the raw energy and emotion necessary for a fine punk album, but also superb musicianship, of all things! A must have for fans of punk rock, and a fine introduction to those not yet aquainted with the style.
Forgot how good this album was !
I am dating myself by saying "album" but when I first listened to it. . it was vinyl.
Sounds better everytime I hear it. .
Los Angeles
Well really the year belonged to X as their debut album came out that year and was not only the years best album but one of the top ten albums of the decade. X-Los Angeles *****
Some say the year 1980 belonged to metal and bands such as AC/DC because of Back In Black, and Iron Maidon, Judas Priest, Diamond Head, Van Halen. Exene, John Doe, Billy Zoom, DJ Bonebrake made up this seminal punk band and formed in Los Angeles, the name sake of this album and also home to fellow L. A. legends The Doors. Ray Manzarek of the Doors went on to produce this album, and wonderfuly so, even going so far as to play keys on the bands cover of 'Soul Kitchen' which they did gracefully to say the least.
Bonebrake was your systematic drummer playing just enough to make it all come together, while cheif songwriter/vocalist and bass player John Doe laid down some killer grooves, a perfect example of this is the classic 'Nausea. ' Billy Zoom played great lead guitar in the same vein as Steve Jones to The Sex Pistols. His complete and total rip off of Chuck Berry's 'Johnny Be Goode' riff which he implamented into 'Johny Hit And Run Paulene' (the albums stand out track) is a prime example of this. Or how about Exene, the frontwomen to end all frontwomen. Her style and grace, yet dirty raw caution to the wind attitude made her a force of unkown. Her lyrics are incredible. Her vocals were smooth as ice but where she really shined was on tracks like 'Sugarlight' and the title track 'Los Angeles' where her and Doe share vocal roles and create some magical harmonies much like The Pixies would do a few years later. But perhaps the best example of this can be heard on the extreamly haunting 'The Unheard Music' which is very slow and daunting about kids who lose their parents too young likt Bonebrake and Exene both did. The guitar work is also phenomonal. This track gives 'Johny Hit. . . ' a run for it's money.
The albums strongest track 'Johny Hit And Run Paulene' is the story of rape and guilt with the most clever title in rock history. John Doe refused to play the song live after the first tour because he felt people were not listening to the lyrics and getting excitted about the song in the wrong way. 'Sex And Dying In High Society' is no more then a track inspired by being surrounded by the rich and Doe's complete disstain for their way of life. The albums opener 'Your Phones Off The Hook, But Your Not' has not only a clever title but some of the strongest lyrics that the band would ever use in their entire career.
The bonus tracks that are available on some reissues of the album are fantastic as well. 'I'm Coming Over' sounds sweet and angelic at first but then jumps into the bands rawest sounding most in your face song ever! 'Adult Books' is actually a well known song but this version is just a little more raw. The demo version of 'Delta 88' is fantastic and sheds a new light on the song and how it became the way it was finally released. 'Cyrano De Berger's Back' is just a rehearsal recording but it is actually pretty cool. Then to top it off is an alternate version of 'Los Angeles' which is not as good as the classic version but still a cool listen every once in a while.
Classic!.
You can see a complete list of all X discography, or go back to the X tabs
|
