Search - Ralph Gean, Boyd Rice :: Boyd Rice Presents: Ralph Gean - A Star Unborn

The Best in Outsider Music: Phychotronic Tunes

Robert E. Murena Jr. | Fairfield, CT United States | 02/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like Psychotronic film this is the soundtrack to your life! Ralph Gean is sort of an outsider musician ... Not so much as Jandek, he wanted to be known. Gean saw himself as a star unborn but couldn't exactly "connect" with his or any audience. Hmmm maybe with titles like "homicidal me", a sing-songy 1950's country sounding tune complete with sound affects, it would be a bit difficult. Ralph didn't seem to care though, the recordings on this album span four decades and is some sort of bizarre retrospective into one of America's most unknown musicians. Needles to say this is a must have album.



The songs all have a 1960's garage band sound. That is to say they are recorded in hi-fi but aren't the best. The tunes and instrumentation match this sound too. Many of the songs even poke fun at himself and it is easy to say that Ralph Glean really loved to do what he did. The tracks like the one mentioned above and "Hard to be a Killer" aren't evil in intent so don't worry about that. The songs maybe crazy though, and with a song about a family waiting for a grand parent to die and a song about Lorena Bobbitt (sung from the perspective of John Bobbitt) we must wonder about the singers mental health. This makes the music fun though.



Some of the songs could have actually been hits or at least been popular. "Electricity" and even "Wearin' that Loved on Look" are good songs for that early '60's rock genre. Including these songs and "Star Trekkin Rock and Roll Cowboy" the listener can aquire a compassionate view of Ralph Gean who wasnt just some flash in the pan but a "career oriented" musician whos career just wasnt that successful.



I recommend this album to all fans of the off-beat. Psychotronic film fans, Boyd rice fans and more: you will all find this album interesting. Even at the prices it fetches these days it is well worth the money. If Boyd Rice is smart he'll re-release this album. It is a true joy to listen to and I really hope you can find a copy soon.



-- Ted Murena"