American Music

The Blasters

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 16, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1980
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hightone Records
• ASIN: B0000005S7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #37,542 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Americana--a mixture of folk, rockabilly, blues, country, Cajun, and other roots music--is now a well-established radio and industry genre, and this is the album that almost single-handedly created it. When the Blasters, fronted by brothers Phil and Dave Alvin, came roaring out of Downey, California, during the heyday of punk back in 1977, many considered them a throwback, but once the savage energy of this band hits you, it's obvious they ain't no wannabes. They took every style considered corny and unhip by the new wave generation, and in a magical burst of inspiration, turned it into something that never goes out of style--high octane, pedal-to-the-metal rock & roll. Luckily, Rollin' Rock's Ronnie Weiser had the wisdom to rush them into the studio and capture them at the height of their creative frenzy. Now classic Dave Alvin tunes such as "Marie Marie" and the title track rub up against chestnuts like the Hollywood Flames' "Buzz Buzz Buzz," and sparks fly. This long-overdue reissue includes seven tracks that never made it onto the original vinyl, to give you 19 raw and raunchy tracks that sum up the past, present, and future of American music. --j. poet

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT ALL-AMERICAN ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC, August 3, 2001

By	Patrick Earley (Edmond, Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Blasters were one of the great unsung roots rock bands. With Dave Alvin leading the way on guitar, and his brother Phil on vocals, these guys were at the forefront of the late 70's early 80's rockabilly revival. What seperated the Blasters from the rest of the pack was their ability to combine their rockabilly sound with everything from R&B and country to punk. And as members of the L.A. punk scene, they were influenced by bands like X, who Dave Alvin later joined after the Blasters broke up. They also had a little bit of a country sound at times, probably influenced a little by Dwight Yoakam, who they often shared a double bill with. Just like the title of this cd suggest, this is all American Music. Influenced a lot by people like Jerry Lee Lewis and Big Joe Turner. But by no means did they copy these artists. The Blasters had a distinct sound of their own. There is a ton of great music on this cd. The songs I particually like are their anthem "AMERICAN MUSIC" and "MARIE MARIE", a song which another outstanding rockabilly artist Shakin' Stevens made a hit out of over in England. I also like the song "BARN BURNING", a bluesy tune that Dave Alvin later did on his solo album. All the tunes here are 2 to 3 minute little gems that keep this album rolling along nicely. My only gripe about Blasters music is why haven't they released more of it. Warner Brothers needs to re-release the "Blasters Collection" cd of their greatest hits off their 4 albums. I can't believe "American Music" is all they have availiable from their catalogue. If you like the Blasters, I also suggest picking up "Blastered", a Tribute To The Blasters. This is an excellent collection of Blaster songs from 16 of the best rockabilly bands around. In the meantime, American music is a good (and only) place to start listening to what I consider one of the very best roots rock bands ever.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God Bless America, AND THE BLASTERS!!, June 20, 2001

By	Erik J. Fortmeyer "beerisjoy" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

So someone introduced you to the music of Dave Alvin and The Guilty Men one night at a ripping good party, eh? Or maybe they played stuff by "X"? If this is the case then, you had one of two polar reactions... you either loved it beyond belief or hated it with a passion. If the former is the case, then you MUST hear where it all began!! The Blasters are Rockabilly/Hillbilly/Cajun/Blues/R&B/Rock & Roll all blendered together into what the album title describes as "American Music"! I'm sure the members of the Stray Cats and Webb Wilder all have multiple, well-worn copies of this classic everywhere they go. If you dig roots music with a blues edge played with a ripping good guitar, thumping bass, thundering drums, and surprisingly thoughtful songwriting, then this will blow you out of the water! It will also send you on a frenzy trying to get every copy known of the original Blasters live shows from the late 1970s when punk rock was all the rage. Dave Alvin and the rest of this band are true American originals that made legendary reputations out of all the roadhouses that this band tore up musically during their too short reign.

Buy it and tell a friend!!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raw and raucus rockabilly, August 19, 1998

By A Customer

I have been a fan of The Blasters ever since the mid-80's.

The group revolves around a core formed by the Alvin Bothers, Phil and Dave. Phil's voice and Dave's guitar and songwriting are both raw and exciting, like the best bar band you know. These guys play unadorned rock and roll that harks back to the roots of the genre.

The picture I have of them is Phil wailing, sweat dripping down his face, Dave hunched over his guitar and the crowd stomping and clapping to this simple, fun music.