SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE FUZZTONES – JUST ONCE

THE FUZZTONES
JUST ONCE
CLEOPATRA RECORDS

The Fuzztones released their debut album, Lysergic Emanations in 1985, which means much of this live compilation, Just Once, was recorded prior to their first studio album. Although, listening to the material on this album, one would never guess this band was just starting out. Just Once is a collection of live songs dating back to 1982 that the band only performed once in their touring career. This makes for fascinating listening because this band really dug deep for obscure material that most of the audience would never have heard.

Just Once is also a wonderful history lesson, listening to the band performing in clubs that are long gone. In some ways, the album plays out like a series of ghosts. The songs they chose were already well-known when The Fuzztones tackled them. The material is not always recorded extremely well, but that really doesn’t matter, this is garage rock the way it should be heard. For example, they dig up a Dino, Desi and Billy B-side (“The Rebel Kind”) and with that wonderful fuzz guitar they make it very much their own. I doubt anyone even knew who did the original.

Then they take on Van Morrison’s “Them” with a very energetic and enthusiastic version of “Baby, Please Don’t Go” and even cover a Jefferson Lee B-side, “Sorcerella.” Someone in that band had one hell of a record collection. Again, it is an exciting cover that has just enough atmosphere to make it a little on the creepy side. To my ears, their performance of Blue Magoo’s “We Ain’t Got Nothin’ Yet” is a clear highlight, as is their back-to-back version of “Louie Louie” and “Louie Go Home.” The two songs come from two different shows, but they sound great together on this collection

The oldest songs on the album (“How Many Times” and Psyclones”) come from two historic and missed clubs in New York City, The Great Gildersleeves and CBGBs, both of which are long gone. But this album conjures up the memories (or ghosts) of not only the great songs, but venues sadly missed. Just Once presents The Fuzztones at their best, on a stage and having fun. You can hear it in the music. It is also a wonderful walk through many different memories. Just Once is a great collection and thank goodness it exists. Fans of the band will love this album, and novices might discover a thing or two about classic garage rock.

Artist Links