Customer Reviews

All Systems Go

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

this reissued collection of RFTC's singles takes a few listenings before one can appreciate the songs, but it is worth the effort. though there isn't a radio-friendly song on the entire hour-long compilation (although "pressure's on" comes close) there are enough distorted vocals, ringing guitars, and honking horns to make any rocket fan happy. standout tracks include the bizarre "lefty", "normal carpet ride", "press darlings", and "the paste that you love". the mixing on the album sounds like a cross between CIRCA NOW and THE STATE OF ART IS ON FIRE, which means that this cd is a dense wall of sound in which picking out individual instruments is a foolhardy exercise in futility. just enjoy the mess.

Ok. I was just listening to "Press Darlings" from the ADAM AND THE ANTS LP "Kings of the Wild Frontier" (Epic) 1980 and said to myself "why have I heard this song before?" RFTC shortly came to mind (it's been about 9 years since I've listened to "All Systems Go") and I feared plagiary on the part of Sir Reis. To my relief and continuing affirmation of his pimpness, Reis was in-the-know even then. A ballsy cover of a great song. Goddamn; is there a more vital rocker?

Rocket from the Crypt is easily my favorite band, and until I heard this album I thought they could do no wrong. However, All Systems Go Volume 1 proved me wrong. Even for a b-sides collection this is really awful. Most of the songs aren't even listenable, and the ones that are are usually ruined by stupid sound effects or vocal distortion. "Live the Funk" starts out well, but is unlistenable after the first minute due to Speedo repeating the same line roughly 83 times. They completely butchered their cover of the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace" by adding some stupid talking over the song; unfortunate because it would have been a good cover. If you're looking for Rocket from the Crypt, I would suggest "Scream Dracula, Scream" or "RFTC" over this rubbish.