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Monday 2 October 2017
ALBUM REVIEW: Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats – “Vol. 1” (Reissue)
By: Ernesto
Aguilar
Album Type: Full length
Date
Released:
13/10/2017
Label: Rise Above
Records
Imperfect though
it may be, "Vol. 1" is a fascinating introduction to Uncle Acid and
the Deadbeats' bold vision
"Vol. 1” CD//DD//LP track listing
1.
Crystal Spiders
2.
WitchesGarden
3.
Dead Eyes of London
4.
Lonely and Strange
5.
Vampire Circus
6.
Do What Your Love Tells You
7.
I Don’t Know
8.
Wind Up Toys
The Review:
Psychedelic
band Uncle
Acid and the Deadbeats has gained somewhat of a cult status over the
years. However, it is the best kind of cult status imaginable. The group has at
once achieved notoriety while not gaining a level of household name currency.
Such presence is a sweet spot for musicians: people know you, but not their
moms, and not being played at the mall is absolutely not for lack of skills. Uncle Acid and
the Deadbeats' style of stoner rock with old-school heavy metal
burnish has flashes of panache that bands like Electric Wizard have in
abundance. Over its releases, the Kevin Starrs-fronted group has supplemented
that with pulpy themes in its music and as such their music is truly fun to
listen to, and the band's music has received well-deserved acclaim for it.
If
you have been following Uncle Acid over its young career – from 2011's
“Blood Lust”, 2013’s “Mind Control” or “The Night Creeper”, the 2015 entry – chances are the group hooked
you with its fuzzed out freaky tales that always came across as more Dusk to
Dawn than Leatherface. It is a catchy and creative mix that draws comparisons
to some of the genre's all-stars, not to mention progressive acts like Pink Floyd.
Among the stories that have circulated was how the celebrated band's story
began on a 2010 debut, which originally made the rounds via CD-R. However, that
recording has been elusive to most fans, save Youtube downloads and live shows.
That is, until its longtime label, Rise Above Records, stepped in to reissue the
out-of-print first recording.
With
"Vol. 1," fans of Uncle Acid and
the Deadbeats finally get a glimpse at the band's formative work.
Perhaps it is no surprise that it is not the best the crew has performed, but
it is among the most original.
"Crystal Spiders" begins the
album, and it is filled with the energetic guitar work and the sticky rhythms you
know of Uncle
Acid and the Deadbeats. The back story to "Vol. 1" is that it is truly a do-it-yourself endeavor.
It was reportedly self-recorded. This hardscrabble tale proves readily apparent
as you tune in for the duration. A little too much volume and some loose
production are evident. With "WitchesGarden," the vocals are a bit
more washed out by the rest of the arrangement than usual. However, it, just as
with the next song "Dead Eyes of London," is a
priceless look at a performer building a sound it is today loved for making.
Its cornerstones – that classic rock 'n' roll feel, a lyricism that weaves a
mystical tale into the music – are gestating on its debut. On "Lonely and Strange," the
bass and drums take a more prominent role, just like they do in later releases and
are a hallmark of this vibe. Imperfect though it may be, "Vol. 1" is a fascinating introduction to Uncle Acid and
the Deadbeats' bold vision.
Starrs
has been quoted as saying he wanted to oversee remixing and ensuring the new
record met the standard he expected for fans. He does an admirable job in
touching up the base material. "Do
What Your Love Tells You" in the original telling, available online,
gets its retro doom amped up on "Vol.
1." Similarly, the closer, "Wind
Up Toys," is markedly improved from the original.
If
you are a fan and caught "Vol.
1" online, the reissue is a treat you will not want to miss. And if
you are curious about this burgeoning UK phenomenon, "Vol. 1" may help you understand how it all began.