Customer Reviews

Pebbles, Vol. 2: Original 60s Punk & Psych Classics

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Twenty-one track CD - volume 2 of the AIP label 'Pebbles' series. Do I really need to mention this is another must-own title? Tunes here that did the most for me are audio gems by the Moving Sidewalks (Billy Gibbon's pre-ZZ Top group), some out-take by the Electric Prunes I've never heard, the harmonica-driven Lyrics, Zakary Thaks (had some 7" singles out in 1966-67), not to mention some REAL super-obscure bands like Avengers, Quid, Choir, Phil & Frantics and the Buddy Holly-like Bobby Fuller. Does the go-go party in question ever end? Let's hope not. Highly recommended.

PEBBLES VOL. 2, a direct port from the vinyl edition with 6 bonus tracks, is a notch above its predecessor; all the songs are great little gems of garage rock 60s-style, even though several of them have appeared in better-sounding form on the NUGGETS boxed set (The Lyrics' "So What", Zakary Thaks' "Bad Girl", The Dovers' "What Am I Gonna Do", The Choir's "It's Cold Outside").

Highlights include: The Satans' "Makin' Deals", The Moving Sidewalks' "99th Floor", The Buddhas' "Lost Innocence", Randy Alvey and the Green Fuzz' "Green Fuzz" (this sounds like it was pumped out in an actual garage, very grungy!), The Dovers' "She's Gone", Bobby Fuller's "Wine Wine Wine", The Choir's "I'm Going Home", and The Avengers' "Be a Caveman".

It's not as great as future volumes of the PEBBLES series would be, but it's still a fine collection of garage classics worth purchasing for the completist.

The second volume of the Pebbles series serves up another round of forgotten rock n roll relics from the glory days of the 60s. This time around, the songs are among the very best in the entire series: The Zakary Thaks' "Bad Girl" is a double-time pounder whose sneering vocals and storming drums foreshadow the 70s punk explosion, while the Lyrics' "So What" is an absolutely ferocius tune with some blistering harmonica solos. The Satans' "Making Deals" is every bit as raunchy, mean-spirited, and brutally fun as the Rolling Stones at their best, and the Little Boy Blues' rendition of "I Can Only Give You Everything" threatens to burst at the seams with barely subdued sexuality. The Moving Sidewalks' "99th Floor" is a stomping, propulsive three-chord smasher, and the Road's "You Rub Me The Wrong Way" is a bleary-eyed frat-rocker that won't fail to get'cha dancing. The Green Fuz's "Green Fuz" is simply one of the greatest garage-rock songs of all time, a gruesome two-chord slopper that's every bit as catchy and addictive as it is deranged. On the poppier side of the spectrum, we have the Choir's rousing, bemused sing-along "It's Cold Outside," as well as a pre-"I Fought the Law" Bobby Fuller performing the convulsive party anthem "Wine Wine Wine." Phil & The Frantics do an ethereal, smokey, and subtle piece entitled "I Must Run," which features a twisting keyboard and some hushed vocals. And then there are the Dovers. Siply one of the most unfairly neglected rock groups ever, the Dovers were an incredible musical force. Their songs were uncanny, engrossing, and emotional, written and performed with a kind of flair that rivaled that of the most well-known musical acts of the day. The two Dovers tracks presented here are proof of that: "She's Gone," with its unique pop hooks and spiraling melody, could've (and should've) sat quite comfortably at the top of the charts. "What Am I Going to Do," meanwhile, is a genuine masterpiece, a spine-tingling rush of unchecked emotion whose power is nothing short of stunning. These are only some highlights of an excellent disc, one that should be in the collection of any fan of lesser-known rock n roll.

These are good, in that they're available. But they differ from the BFD vinyl versions, many of them. The Litter's crazy version of "I'm a Man," isn't here. Some of these albums have been renamed: Pebbles 9 has no relation to the original comp. See? You can't go wrong with the original vinyl...if you can find it.