Search - Cramps :: Stay Sick

Kiss kiss! Bang bang! Everything Goes! ;D

Pamela Scarangello | Middletown, NJ USA | 08/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1989's "Stay Sick!" is another energetic rock album that clearly marks the highest point of the Cramps' musical creativity. Interestingly, the songs of this particular CD have rejuvenated lyrical elements of the band's outrageous obsession with cheesy science fiction films and off-the-wall frightfests (which were temporarily lost in 1986's "A Date with Elvis.") In fact, the title of "Stay Sick!" was once a spooky catchphrase spoken by Ghoulardi, an early television horror host who became popular in Lux Interior's home state of Ohio. As a whole, this record is fueled by twisted rockabilly tunes, simplified chorus hooks and groovy pop rhythms. Supported by Poison Ivy's raw, vibrating guitar strings, Lux the frontman adapts an audio persona more warped than ever before; while belting out his vocals, he emits a fury of bestial growls, puppy dog yelps and strangely sexy croons. "Stay Sick!" has, of course, quite a few highlights. The CD's upbeat single "Bikini Girls with Machine Guns" is an underground party hit heavily drawn from alcohol binges, psychedelic drugs and a whole other variety of forbidden excesses. "All Women are Bad" is definitely the most well written track here, as it briefly explains how enticing vamps in history led men to their ruin (and why we all love them for it!). In "Creature from the Black Leather Lagoon," (obviously dedicated to the Hollywood monster of the same name) good ol' Lux shimmers his hips in a hilarious Elvis Presley spoof! Speaking of the King, the Cramps' dizzying cover of his celebrated hit "Jailhouse Rock" can best be described as a hyperactive noise riot done after swallowing one too many Twinkies! Beware, freaks and riff raffs: the sexual content on "Stay Sick!" is the most explicit ever presented (other than 2003's "Fiends of Dope Island"). There is no doubt in my mind that it was intended to press the panic buttons of mainstream censorship. "Everything Goes" is a throbbing country tune where Lux pushes fetishism to its most absurd level! "Mama OO Pow Pow" is a naughty barnyard ditty about spankings, bondage and other acts of kinky behavior. However, one of the CD's bonus tracks, a nostalgic cover of Carl Perkins's "Her Love Rubbed Off," is probably the ONE Cramps track that officially crosses the invisible line of obscenity. Snatch this incredible album...IF YOU DARE! ;)"

I dig that God**m rock n' roll!

Pamela Scarangello | 08/02/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Stay Sick!" is the very first Cramps record I've ever bought, and I really enjoy how they had taken rockabilly to a whole new level. Covering their favorite subjects like S&M, cheesy horror and sci-fi flicks and the drug excesses typical of 80's hair bands, the Cramps have created a ravenous cult following that rivals that of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Lead singer Lux Interior is funny, witty, explicit and makes fun of Elvis Presley. "Stay Sick!" includes the fun of "Bikini Girls with Machine Guns." My personal favorite is "Creature of the Black Leather Lagoon," which pays homage to the monster and perfectly blends camp with vamp. The tracks I wasn't crazy about were both "That Love Rubbed Off (live)" which is somewhat annoying, and "Jackyard Backoff." The majority of the CD, however, is a keeper."

Quite simply.....

David S. Jenkins | On the Road | 08/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Quite simply and quite seriously one of the greatest rock and roll albums of all time.



If "Save me the label of that perfume on the table, so I can remember what made a wreck of me" isn't one of the most brilliant lines ever written I don't know what is.



Exceptional, hilarious lyrics and Poison Ivy, the Queen of Rockabilly Guitar and Gold Lame Bikinis.



Free the sleazy rocker that lives inside your soul and buy this."