Customer Reviews

When My Blue Moon Turns Red Again

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3 star:		(2)
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I previously had heard the Bassholes' first album, Blue Roots, before I picked up this one. I loved that album to death, but this album doesn't quite do it for me so much. First off, this is much more of a punk album that seeks to blow out your eardrums, more or less. Secondly, this studio recording lacks the warmth and DIY feel of the first album's 4-track sound. Finally, this disc lacks the memorable riffs of Blue Roots, except for the inferior new versions of "Judge Harsh Blues" and "Nakema" included. On the plus side, though, the lyrics are hilarious as always.

The Bassholes have spewed out a remarkable body of ragged, dirty basement punk blues, full of savage, barbed-wire guitar bursts and venomous lyrics. Don Howland was doing this sort of thing when most modern "garage" rockers were in their pre-teen metal days, so he has had plenty of time to hone his vision and carve a unique niche in this overpopulated genre.

When this record came out many hailed it as the ultimate Bassholes record, as it was more professionally recorded than the rest of their output. And while the audio fidelity is nice, the performances don't really shine through. To me the Bassholes are at their mightiest when sounding loose and out of control, so loud that their amps can't really contain or handle the energy. Here a bunch of the songs come off a little stiff as if they were worried they might break some of the fancy china in the recording studio. Maybe they just weren't having a good day, something you can't really afford in a high-budget recording affair. It's certainly not a bad record, just one that suffers next to its company.

20 or 30 years from now, your kids or grandkids might sift through you record collection, giggling about how corny Green Day sounds. If they come upon the Bassholes, they might be curious, bewildered or scared...and that'll be a good thing.

Yah, this isn't as rough and raw as Blue Roots or Deaf Mix, but it grows on ya and does have some GREAT tracks.. "She Came on the Bus" is awesome. YAAAAAHHHHHHH
look for a new bassholes full length as well as a collection of their first 6 singles.. out in nov/dec!

If you are ever contemplating trying out a Bassholes album this is the one to begin with. While all their albums are excellent lo-fi/blues/punk records that feature incredible basement recording technique, this record is LOUD and clear. A double records worth of material, this features the best song writing ever from Don Howland and the best sound the band has ever had. Older classics are reworked as well and in almost every case are better than the original. A classic.

...While I am not an avid fan of the so-called LO-FI scene, I think this records kicks some major booty. Garage Punk turned up way past 10. If your ears are hurting baby, then turn down your FISHER PRICE record player and go buy some more GUIDED BY VOICES [stuff]. I hate it when folks dismiss true...ROCK 'N ROLL for some mediocre pap disguised as ALTERNATIVE or LO-FI or whatever you want to call that [junk.] I believe that the BASSHOLES recorded the best...garage album of the decade. DRY YOUR EYES KIDDIES AND TURN THE UP THE DAMN VOLUME, BABY!