Search - Stiv Bators :: Disconnected

Long-lost power pop treasure

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 11/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bators made such indelible marks at the start and end of his career, with the nihilistic punk of The Dead Boys and the popular goth-rock of The Lords of the New Church, respectively, that his mid-period forays into power pop have been greatly obscured. And as this reissue of his second solo album reveals, that's a huge disservice. The Dead Boys may have been more visceral and The Lords of the New Church may have achieved more commercial acclaim, but Bators' garage-inspired power-pop is clearly the music nearest and dearest to his heart.



On preceding singles and demos Bators had covered obscure '60s classics such as The Choir's "It's Cold Outside" and The Glories' "I Stand Accused," and that sensibility melds perfectly with the band's originals, combining a dash of the Dead Boys' snotty punk energy with the power-pop sounds of late '70s bands like The Plimsouls. There are hints of New Wave, but the back-to-basics production (thanks to then-rookie Thom Wilson) and arrangements keep this from sounding dated; there's also some foreshadowing of the Lords sound (who themselves would look back with a cover of "Question of Temperature"), but, again, the roots are firmly in the '60s.



In addition to songs from Bators and band members Frank Secich, George Cabaniss and David Quinton, the album includes a rousing cover of The Electric Prunes' "Too Much To Dream Last Night" and a leering live take of The Syndicate of Sounds' "Little Girl." The Lords' fame and Dead Boys' infamy may have obscured the brilliance of Bators' middle-period garage pop, but thanks to Bomp! it's here for you to hear.



[Note to completists: Bomp's 1993 reissue appears to have a different set of bonus tracks (8 songs recorded live at the Berkeley Square) than the 2004 reissue (2 alternate takes, 1 live track, 1 instrumental, 1 prank phone call). Collect 'em both!]"

Still Great All These Years Later...

Dylan K. Lane | VA USA | 10/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was one of many cds I had to buy to replace old vinyl. Just as good as it was when I was a kid. Dont really have any critical insight for anyone but I can say if you loved The Dead Boys, Rocket from the Tombs, The Dickies or any other under-belly of society/ seedy/ hard rocking/ power-pop band then you will enjoy this cd for sure. Hope this helps someone..."

Freaking Awesome

Wazzy Stardust | 12/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one CD that I can't stop listening to...ALL of the songs are good. My favorites are "I Wanna Forget You (Just the Way You Are) and "Swingin' A Go-Go" - though the rest of them are great tracks, too. I suggest you check them out. The only negative thing I have to say about Stiv Bators is that I wish he would have put out more albums because his style is one that we couldn't afford to lose (and unfortunately, we did - way too soon!)"