The 1980 Listening Post - Wreckless Eric - Big Smash!

Wreckless Eric - Big Smash!

#48

February 29 1980

Wreckless Eric

Big Smash!

Genre: Pub Rock

3.75 out of 5 (4.5 if it was just one LP)

Highlights:

Tonight (Is My Night)

It’ll Soon Be the Weekend

I’d Go The Whole Wide World

Whew, Eric, that’s a LOT of music to not be readily available in 2020. Thanks to Sheffield for cobbling together this playlist.

When we think of the great english pub rockers of the era, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Elvis, Joe, Paul, how come Eric doesn’t get as much love? Did he just not write any hits? That must be it. If he had that one or two massive singles or a cover ala Edmunds that sent him soaring up the charts I bet we would talk about him in that same breath. Despite his near-repugnantly gravelly voice. But that’s what makes RnR great. You don’t HAVE to be a great singer. I thought Sex Pistols proved that.

“Broken Doll” could be the sequel to The Nerves' “Paper Doll”. A neat little Power Pop bit that should be part of a Double A side rerelease. “Excuse Me” sounds like he’s trying to be Ray Davies. And it’s a good thing since Ray doesn’t seem to wanna be Ray anymore at this time.

I’m not sure the world needed a double record by Eric. Surely culling this down to a tight single LP would result in a higher rating.

But, check this. “Walking on the Surface of the Moon”…Eric sounds JUST like Patrick Stickles from Titus Andronicus, who should totally cover it.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_QjlbjrEOE&list=PLlvn8uktX5Lsb-n3WZYsf-xq2BZ9TgtxI

The 1986 Listening Post - The Len Bright Combo - The Len Bright Combo Present The Len Bright Combo by The Len Bright Combo

The Len Bright Combo - The Len Bright Combo Present The Len Bright Combo by The Len Bright Combo

#106/1271 LISTENING POST DISCOVERY

March 1986

The Len Bright Combo

The Len Bright Combo Present The Len Bright Combo by The Len Bright Combo

Genre: Garage

4.5 out of 5

Highlights:

You’re Gonna Screw My Head Off

Sophie (The Dream of Edmund Hirondelle Barnes)

Lureland

Since I’m not as up on my Wreckless Eric discography I really can only use this simile:

If Nick Lowe decided to hang out with a bunch of friends in a garage and record, live, into a four track, a bunch of song he had just whipped up, it would probably sound like this.

Which is to say, it’s chock full of great lo-fi garage tunes.

This album sounds muddy but it’s supposed to. It’s designed, I think, to sound like a band recorded live and immediate. It also harkens back to the mono era of early rock and roll. Quite a statement given the era of overproduction.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/wreckless-eric-presents-the-len-bright-combo/1222214320