Skulduggery [Import]

The Physicals | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 27, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Overground Records
• ASIN: B00000IOAA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #499,879 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Punk fans, don't let this one get away!, September 21, 2005

By 

Ralph Heibutzki "chairmanralph" (SE Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skulduggery (Audio CD)

I'm glad this material has been released: it's a fascinating look at a band that never got its due, mainly because the critics who'd embraced the big names (Clash, Damned, Sex Pistols, etc.) were writing it off by 1979. In some ways, that's true, because the heavyweights were either breaking up, or drastically changing their sound; in other ways, though, it's not, since many of the lesser-known groups were playing regularly, and releasing the odd album or EP, when circumstances allowed.

Even then, the Physicals sounded markedly different from the '76 era "1-2-3-4, go" template -- glammier, without veering off into metal, as you can see on their ALL SEXED UP EP, which opens this CD. "Breakdown On Stage" name-checks the New York Dolls, while "You Do Me In" is a slow burner with nice, crunchy guitar work (uplifted by a surprising uptempo ending). In fact, of the four EP tracks, only "No Life In The City" could be considered punk, but it's as brash and sassy as its companions.

Then it's off to the other Physicals' official release, the "Be Like Me"/"Pain In Love" single -- which sat on the shelves for a year...what a crying shame! "Be Like Me" sounds like a great lost Sex Pistols tune, right down to the guitar sound (Steve Jones was too busy to participate), and (of course) Paul Cook's deft, crisp drumming. "Pain In Love" is slower, but stands on its own, thanks to Alan Lee Shaw's wall of guitars.

The 11 remaining unreleased tracks, however, are the centerpiece of this gem, and pretty impressive. My favorites are "Crying In The Alley," and "I Got A Feeling," which sound like mid-era Iggy to me -- especially the shuddering vocals -- but they're solid, no-frills, no-nonsense tracks. What's especially neat is how Shaw cuts off the guitar, and brings it back in suddenly, giving the music more power and space to breathe. (As a guitar player myself, I've come to realize -- it ain't what you put in, it's what you leave out, that matters.) I also like "The Weight's On Me," whose guitar sound reminds me of the Clash (circa GIVE 'EM ENOUGH ROPE), and "Time's Up," for the jangly, distorted tone that drives it to the finish line.

You also get two live cuts: a breathless rush through Iggy Pop's "Lust for Live," and an anthemic, slammin', midtempo original, "Should Have Been You," which boasts a classic fist-waver of a chorus. (If there's more live material of this caliber, I would definitely suggest another Physicals reissue!) The '60s garage covers ("Talk Talk," "Get Me To The World On Time," "Engine Of Romance") are also great fun, and well worth your attention.

Although the Physicals' lifetime output only consisted of half a dozen tracks, they definitely weren't underachievers, and could have gone to greater glory -- if they hadn't been undone, like so many other second-division bands, by a withering of the original punk scene (read: fewer venues to play), and the usual mindless, carnivorous record company/business shenanigans. (Shaw is still around, though, having most recently played with the Damned, and the power trio, Mischief, whose own album is a totally different story...and review!) A lot of punk reissues fall flat, because of the material, or the execution -- but this release isn't one of them. Now you've been told: DON'T LET THIS ONE GET AWAY!

4.0 out of 5 stars 'Scum Surf Riders!', June 16, 2007

By 

Paul Ess. (Holywell, N.Wales,UK.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skulduggery (Audio CD)

Cor! Low down and dirty rock 'n' roll. A Physicals compilation! What more d'you want? What more could you possibly need?

From the electrifying single 'Be Like Me' (if only you could m'dears) to a superb cover of Electric Prunes 'Get Me To The World On Time' and all the myriad delights in-between - 'Skulduggery' delivers.
Forget the slightly dated feel of the power-pop chords (tho' I like 'em just fine, and there's sure as hell nothing like them around now) and just dwell in the spiraling thumping songs.

It's a mystery on a par with how I haven't been appointed UK minister for culture as to why the Physicals never broke huge. The accompanying booklet suggests competition at the time, and this is probably true. They lasted from 1978 to 1980, part of the first phase of Brit rock/pop's goldenest golden period when there was indeed, dirty great swathes of good groups appearing every week.
Disturbingly, I bet at this moment, there are thousands of eager, hip, discerning punters reading this thinking: 'Who IS he on about NOW!?'
A shame to be sure, and there's only one way to find out. Get this cd - which contains everything they've ever done - ordered now.
The soaring, magnificent 'Be Like Me' (produced by Pistol Paul Cook!) is worth the price on its own but you get 16 others with it!

It only gets four stars because it is, after all said and done, a compilation and some of the live songs toward the end tend to drag a little.
But hey, don't let my petty prejudices put you off, bolster your week now with this mighty recording.