Customer Reviews

Boom in the Night - Original Studio Recordings

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's hard to convey the import of this music if you weren't there. The early 1980's was one of the most rarified and creative moments in the history of popular music. Bush Tetras blended punk, reggae and funk with an edgy New York street sensibility. This music is real. And it's all here, the early singles Too Many Creeps and Dah a Riot, and the seminal Rituals EP. Don't miss this, get it before it goes out of print.

I could not believe the whippersnapper above comparing the bush tetras with Bikini kill. Ha!! Bikini kill * W I S H E S * they were in the same league as the Bush Tetras ((by the way, the reuninted band will play a gig on feb 24 here in NYC).
I Am old enough to remember them playing live in 1981 So cool so real so perfect in their time. Myself and half of the other straight guys were in love with the butch dykes that ruled downtown with everything one could hope to have= real style, Intelligence, wry humor, poetry, good music and defiant politics.They did not become big because of their in-your-face lesbian sensuality. I remember when "Too many creeps" came out, everyone was like "hey who are these women, and what are they saying?". Sadly, heroin took its toll and members went downhill and destroyed a great band...
Do yourself a favor. buy this record.This is the real deal.

This is a very good collection of rock music. I know little about this band, but was very impressed when I saw them as a warm up band in 1998 (years past their prime?).

It's not sweet, and is tough in large doses on headphones and/or an office environment, but if you can get yourself speakers and a little distance, it's very solid. Like most rock it takes more than a single listen to get what's going on. It's not harsh on the ears, but it is a tad cranky.

If you're an alternative commerical radio devotee you may not get it. You may not be able to have your Cake and like this too.

Man, I've loved this group since I first heard them in the mid 80's. Lots of funky fun. 'Too Many Creeps' woulda been a radio hit in a perfect world. The lyrics are perfect for feminist/great band thinking. They have several other songs that you gotta listen to on 'listen': 'Cowbyos in Africa' gives me a real feeling that this is a band of white youth with a good groove on. It's their own. 'You Can't Be Funky' again gets it right. 'Snakes Crawl' moves just right. 'You Taste Like the Tropics'. Nice sentiment. All four songs stand the test of time very well. Well written, urban punk funk, heavy on the urban funk.

Again, New York does its thing. I didn't know the CLASH drummer, Topper, was associated with some of the recordings. I think he's one of the best drummers ever, very diverse skills and just so right on all the CLASH songs he's on. Really provides a foundation for them to build on. Percussion is one of this band's strengths.

Three gals and a guy. Same gender formula for BIKINI KILL, sorta the next generation building from BUSH TETRAS. There's a natural connection there. chrisbct@hotmail.com

I saw the Bush Tetras live in the early '80s. They were great live and this CD (formerly cassette) captures their sound. Funky, slithering rhythyms and groaning, chanting vocals will entrance you.

I can recommend finding their vinyl singles, EP, and their appearance on a live compilation album to supplement this CD with the originals.

Recommended to me as a result of liking "Too Many Creeps" on a compilation of my brother's and loving ESG's A South Bronx Story, a I had to wait a long time to receive "Boom In The Night".

To say the least, the record is not really that closely related to the post-funk innocence of A South Bronx Story. Whilst the rhythms of many songs are similar, the mood is exactly the opposite. Here, the image is of women fighting for their rights against the intrusion of the patriarchal system, seen most clearly on the anthemic "Stand Up And Fight" on which Cynthia Sley's half soul sister/half pure punk vocals did possess a true authority that overcomes the somewhat preachy tone.

"Snakes Crawl" and "Dum Dum" perfectly capture the paranoia inherent in the Tetras' worldview with simple, hard rhythms that convey a genuine message of warning to powers-that-be. "Things That Go Boom", "Who's Gonna Pay" and "It's So Weird" possessed a great deal of the darkness and slow-burn sensuality of 1990s psychedelia despite the overblown guitar sound that has not aged very well. Nonetheless, there was a good deal of overblown pomposity on the Tetras' work (taking away some of the power from "Dum Dum"), and "Cowboys In Africa" was meaningless and noisy - how I hate music.

"Das Ah Riot" was a song of creepy brilliance: Sley taking on a softer tone made the funky rhythms much more touching and powerful, and "Moonlite" approached true beauty, showing these women to be more than aggressive, mindless punks. "You Can't Be Funky" put a characterristic slant on romantic relationships, even if it sounds a wee bit dated, and the instrumental "Funky" was a brilliant finalé, showing the Tetras' talents in a much purer light.

This albums diversity could be maddening and annoying at first listen, but there will be something for most listeners on here. Basically a 3.5 star album, but those who like loud, simple music might love parts of this I find too noisy.

'Boom in the Night' is an alt. classic. If you like Gang of Four and The Slits you'll enjoy this. If you don't know what I'm talking about start clicking your keys - it's about time you did. Let's face it what you hear as 'new' today came from yesteryear.

Now this is really seminal post-punk new wave. It sounds like a lot of stuff you have heard by now but back then it was completely new and fresh. It still surprises me how innovative most of these new york new wave bands were.