60ft Dolls, the big 3 (Indolent-1996)
I am glad I do not do a headline on my blog as this headline would just be calling the music buying public a load of swear words.
Seriously I am shocked why they never made it, they had the chance and the right time was there. Kicking about from 92 and hitting the charts in the mid 90s they only had low end chart hits. But it was hits anyhow and for me that is all you need to be noticed back then.
Here we have a debut album that rocked better than most bands out at the time. It sounded great and had no filler tracks. Add in the band playing great live sets they were the whole package. I have always had a fondness or a better way is more respect to three piece bands but they did sound bigger.
The album is a classic Brit rocker. All out guitar driver rock n roll but they had some really great slower songs and ones I still play. "New Loafers" kicks the album off on a great positive way. The guitar sounds great on this album and this first track sets this in stone. Great punky rhythms and a great tune. Single "Talk to Me" shows how sing along they can be and they can make a great pop song. "Stay" follows on the great melodic tunes and it is like a smart love song "you have to hear it".
Now time for a slower song and on first listen "Hair" sound nothing special. But that is the key, simple and melodic. It is a song that any American rock band would have killed for. But it is still rock as the guitars are all there, never being hidden away at the back of the mix they sequel and crunch through the track. "Happy Shopper" gets back to business and at first the intro riff sounds familiar, yes. Last time was when you were having fun. Get ready to sing along and wonder why it only got to number 38.
"The One" is another one. Another great song and a killer guitar work here as well. "Good Times" takes a step back to the punky feel and as ever great lyrics "let the good times roll" and why not? Some songs can be played to make you feel better so far I have counted seven. How about another one?
"No 1 Pure Alcohol" has a real indi rock feel to it. It was there first single and you can hear how they have progressed but again it is still a great song and one that shows the rest of the band can add something great here. Nice bass guitar here gets the shoes tapping at least. As the album comes to a close it has one song that I discovered the band with "Pig Valentine" all out indie rock at it's best. Not too fast or even too difficult to play but it has the sound of a bigger band in a bigger venue. All the guitar bands now would kill for this song alone never mind this album.
Last two songs "Terminal Crash Fear" and "Buzz" keep the quality high with the latter a slight change in style ending on a slower song. This album seem to get great reviews in the day and if I remember it was well championed on Radio One. Looking at the rock bands who have made it today this act would slide right in and out do every one of them.
This band were asked to support Oasis as they were making it and you would think the Oasis fans would have seen this and loved it, but sadly no. Why? I have no idea as I have seen the band myself in 96 and I have to put there performance up there with one of the best. The guitar player made that much of an impact on Oasis he was asked to join. But with him favoring the Dolls and hoping they would make it he turned it down. Respect for that I say but what would Oasis be like with him in the band? Get a listen to this and just dream.
I also have to mention the drummer Carl Bevan continued in the music industry and produced Black Junk by Exit_International. Keep an eye on that band and get that album for more fantastic new noises. In Wales this band are regarded as heroes by many music fans and I can only agree. After making the second album they were to split not long after it's release. Too much touring and I think the sales were not high.
I enjoy doing this blog more for stopping boredom and I also find it fun but albums like this have to be heard. I have had the album playing for a week now and I really can't fault it. Great album and go get it now. If you do not like it I will give you the money back.
Out of print but still on Amazon second hand for 1p (I did say I would give you the money back)
Twitter: @29xthefun
