Customer Reviews

Off the Bone

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This British collection includes the entirety of The Cramps' first release, the Gravest Hits EP, along with selections from Songs the Lord Taught Us, Psychedelic Jungle, and a live version of Smell of Female's "You Got Good Taste" (shortened to "Good Taste"). It covers the years 1979-1983, a formative period in the band's career. Ten tracks can also be found on the domestic comp, Bad Music for Bad People, which was released the following year. Although the bulk of the material consists of covers, you can hardly tell (barring an intimacy with the originals). Once The Cramps get hold of a song, they always make it their own--even the more recognizable numbers like "Surfin' Bird, "Lonesome Town," and "Fever." All benefit from Lux Interior's vocal prowess. He's a proto-punk screamer like Screamin' Jay Hawkins or The Sonics' Gerry Roslie on the rockin' numbers, but can caress a ballad like mid-period Elvis when the need arises. Not one of the songs sounds as if it could've been written anytime after the '60s. Alex Chilton produced the first 10 tracks, The Cramps the remaining seven.

This CD has all the early singles, many crazy covers and is very good sound quality. Includes booklet with early pictures and album covers. I like it!

For any old school Cramps fans,this seventeen track compilation disc is a should-have.When I looked more closely to the track listing,I realized it was a combination of the 'Gravest Hits' five-song EP along with their 'Bad Music For Bad People' lp.Even though all these vintage psychobilly tunes have indeed been released several times before,'Off The Bone' is STILL worth owning a copy of.It's always fun to hear "Human Fly","Surfin' Bird","Drug Train","Go Goo Muck" and "Uranium Rock" as well as the others.Nice mysterious cover.Enjoy.

In my opinion, THE one to start with if you're just getting into the cramps. I think that even though its a compilation, it really brings together the psychobilly sound that they are known for. My favorite album by them. DEFINATELY worth getting.

The Cramps are always a good time.. You will not be disappointed. Lux and Ivy always put on an amazing show and this disk captures that energy.

This is strange, but likeable stuff. Imagine punk rock Elvis or demented 50s rock and roll, but to call it such still doesn't do justice to the uniqueness of the Cramps sound on this album. It's a real party. Surprisingly listenable.

I bought this years ago on Vinyl when i was but a pup. the album cover and the back cover are in 3D which is nice. i can't remember if there were any 3D glasses included but i guess that doesn't matter. my 6 year-old son has recently discovered that if he uses his 3D glasses from Spy Kids 3-D the Off The Bone album cover looks pretty cool too. the CD has two additional tracks, the last two, which is also nice. as mentioned in other reviews, there is no 'new' material on this disc but that doesn't keep it from being a classic Cramps disc. If you can find this on vinyl, you should get it just for the 3D album cover.

OFF THE BONE is the ideal Cramps compilation. 17 tracks of rabid Psycho-billy from the years before Lux and company lapsed into self parody. My only complaint is that it does not include the sublime TV SET. If this CD had turned up in Saddam's collection, W could have justified his WMD folly. Oh well, Saddam seems to be a Yanni fan.

Had never heard of the Cramps until a "Fresh Air" interview of a band on NPR, who said they were influenced by The Cramps. I'm a fan of rockabilly, especially The Stray Cats, but have to say, without tyring to offend the Cramp faithful, this band is not my cup of tea.

Did enjoy the follwing songs:

Garbageman

The Way I Walk

Domino

However, I found it hard to listen to the whole CD, it starts out pretty good, but started to wear on my around the halfway mark.

US based rock band The Cramps were officially formed in 1976, and have most of the time been an underground band. They still have a cult following, and are still active after more than 30 years. Off the Bone is a compilation of early singles, b-sides and obscurities first released in 1983.

Musically the band's major influences are from old rock music; rockabilly and fifties rock 'n roll especially. The bands take on that musical style is to twist it into something else - at best they create dark and twisted rockabilly and rock 'n roll mutations sounding like an Elvis impersonator from the deepest pits of hell, at worst their music sounds like punk influenced noise made by young teenagers in the garage. The vocals are often whacky and off beat; with more or less effective vocal fooling around instead of singing.

The songs on this record is a collection of bits and pieces; and it shows. Some of the tracks are superbly done, while others leave you with the question "Why was this ever recorded?". But getting this album is an easy way to get all of the early singles from the group; and for the tracks that aren't really good there's always a skip button.

Recommended for people that would like to explore the earliest music from these rockabilly punk veterans.