Customer Reviews

Blasters

5 star:		(4)
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If there was any doubt that rock 'n' roll would survive the disco era of the seventies and the punk explosion that followed in its wake, this major label release by The Blasters answered with a resounding, YES! With twelve tracks that clock in at just over thirty minutes, this album crackles with energy.

The Blasters consisted of brothers Phil and Dave Alvin (vocals and lead guitar respectively), John Bazz (bass), Bill Bateman (drums), and Gene Taylor (piano), along with future Los Lobos sax player Steve Berlin and session man extraordinaire Lee Allen, who played sax on countless recordings by Little Richard, Fats Domino and countless others. In addition to this being a crack recording band, their ace in the hole was the emergence of Dave Alvin as a first-rate songwriter. Dave wrote seven of these tracks, including "Marie Marie," "Border Radio" and "American Music" (which are still part of Dave's live act thirty years later).

The Blasters' sound is often described as being roots rock, but Dave describes it best in "American Music": "We got the Louisiana boogie and the Delta blues/We got country swing and rockabilly too/We got jazz, country western and Chicago blues/It's the greatest music that you ever knew." And THAT's American music...and no one plays it better than The Blasters. For maximum enjoyment, play this LOUD! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I wore out an old record of this band and I love this album. Found them the same time I found Los Lobos and I played them everywhere I drove. I'm pretty sure my car started getting better gas mileage cause this packs a get-it whallap!! Saw the Blasters too and they smoked!

I like still like this Group first LP to replace it on CD. It has a rock-a-billy type sound.

I have been wanting this album on CD for years. If you haven't heard this yet, you're missing out on a classic album. Every track on Side One could have been a hit, but Slash Records was just too small when the album was released. The disc loses speed in the middle of Side Two with some yodeling, but concludes on a high note with "Stop the Clock." Highly recommended if you like Shakin' Stevens, Raul Malo or the Stray Cats.