V/A-BOWLING BALLS FROM HELL, LP, 1980, USA
For those into the mythos, this Cleveland/Akron underground compilation pretty much defines the term "must-have". Let's start with the inclusion of one of the greatest Pere Ubu songs that never was, here brought to you by the duo of David Thomas and Tin Huey's Ralph Carney. Just pure lunatic bliss. Now factor in two further Carney gems of damaged Residential rock and fully six GODHEAD tracks of instrumental minimal synth in a style redolent of The Human League circa The Dignity Of Labour by one Dennis DeFrange (virtually half the album) and you've got the makings of a stone cold classic. Really, there's not a duff cut in sight. Hell, even The Waitresses manage to turn in something great (well, they did start out weird, for the few who've heard their debut single) with a much odder version of their new wave hit "I Know What Boys Like", here mysteriously re-titled "Wait Here, I'll Be Right Back...".
NOTE: NEW LINK!
Get it Here
16 comments:
I'm from akron (we've got the blimp!)and i've never seen this record, and thanks for uploading it to (black)mass mirror....having a choice makes things easier for obsessive downloaders.
This blog is beyond amazing!
I don't think mine quite ranks up, but check it out if you will:
http://psychedelicobscurities.blogspot.com/
I was able to get a copy of this and the follow-up (the ingeniusly-titled Bowling Balls From Hell II) a few years ago. I agree with your assessment, truly an undiscovered classic.
Thanks for posting this and everything else!
fantastic!, I love the Dennis DeFrange tracks...
Cheers
vdoandsound rules on this blog ...if it weren't his posts, this would be a bit boring ...thanks.
Joseph
Joseph-Receiving a compliment at the expense of those whose work I admire greatly makes it hard to accept. To me it would be somewhat like a person telling me they love VDO "because it's nothing like the work of that hack Stapleton". It'd annoy me as much as flatter me. Frankly, the whole reason I signed on to participate was out of the deepest admiration for both Jim's work here and Jim's superb taste (and that superb taste extends to our newest contributor Spyros as well) and they deserve every bit as much in the way of kudos as I do, in Jim's case more so in fact, as he's the one you can thank for starting this whole goldmine. I didn't even mosey on in here 'til Jim had already been blowing folks' heads off for several months...
What's the problem ? I am merely stating a personal opinion which is that I like best the music you are posting than the music others are posting. And generally I like the way you, vdoandsound, write about the records. It's simply a question of personal MUSICAL taste and not a question of PERSONAL taste. It's got to do with music not with people. If it's superb or not, each one decides for himself ...
Joseph
Joseph-Sorry if my reply came across as being a bit harsh. It's not that I don't appreciate your compliments. I do. It was just the way you chose to phrase your original comment that made it seem as though you were beeing as dismissive of Jim and Spyros as you were being flattering to me and sometimes I can get a bit overprotective about those I consider my friends....
I love Mutant Sounds ! Any chance of a re-up for this gem ? Thanks !
Could you be a sweetheart and Re-up this please. I haven't heard this in years
Ralph Carney
Well hi there Ralph!
Yes, of course...I'd be happy to. Look for the new link w/in a day or two. Great to hear from ya and mucho love from a long time admirer.
Eric
(vdoandsound)
AW Thanks Eric. Much Appreciated
Ralph
Howdy Ralph,
Okay...the album's been re-upped. Enjoy!
Eric
Hello-hi-howdy. Love your blog.
I know I'm a late-comer to the party, but I've only just recently been researching the DEVO mythos, and I found out about this (related) project. Would it be possible to coerce you into a re-up? I can't find this anywhere else.
Thanks in advance- Bob
anyone got a link for this? re-up pls!
Hello,
I am Evan Davis of Haff Notz (Side 2, Track 3, "Ride, Rider"), and I am proud to be a part of Akron's cultural history! I am now living in Florida but still miss Akron. I completed a CD in 2007, and here is the link:
http://www.cdbaby.com/CD/EvanDavis
Take care,
Evan Davis
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