SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE WOGGLES – STOP AND TAKE A MINUTE

THE WOGGLES
STOP AND TAKE A MINUTE 
WICKED COOL RECORDS

The Woggles’ debut album was released in 1993 (Teen Dance Party), since then they have released 11 studio albums and a number of singles. The singles are the stars of the show here, as a number of songs could be found on the B-side but nowhere else. Over the years members have changed and sadly they lost their guitarist Flesh Hammer (a.k.a Jeff Walls), but the band has persevered. And for well over 30 years, they have been producing original, driving garage rock. Their new album, Stop and Take a Minute, is exactly what the title says. Some of those brilliant B-sides collected in one place.

In fact, the title track of the album is not only written by Walls, but the last time the band recorded with him. It is a wonderful tribute to the guitarist/writer to have his final words headline this excellent collection. These songs are rock ‘n’ roll, with a slight edge. Well, more than a slight edge. These are songs about youth, fun, rock and rolling and being alive. “Little Red Wagon” is pure joy (with wonderful lyrics like “that’s what you get when you are dropped on your head”) and “Eeny, Meeny, Money, Moe” take the listener back to their childhood and younger teens, revisiting those simpler and fun days. Other songs, such as “Sweet Freedom” and “A Waste On The Young” visit that theme with a slightly more serious tone and more straight-ahead rock.

It is hard to believe, when listening to these songs, that they were buried on B-sides and found on collections. These are well played, well written, rock ‘n’ roll songs that move the body and soul. Sometimes, one wants to cut loose and have fun, and that is when you reach for this album. There are no ballads, or politics, here. Rather, songs about relationship problems, fast cars, fast times and hanging out are the order of the day.

The Woggles make a great noise. The songs are fast, carefree but well structured and arranged perfectly. Perhaps recorded quickly, perhaps not, but the overall spirit of the songs gives the impressions of a gang of friends hanging out and creating some garage/underground rock and roll. Stop and Take A Minute is kind of a great sampler album too. It gives a general overview of their career, and while the songs are not necessarily ‘best of’ they do sound great all in one collection.

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