Posted by Slapout on 07-31-2006 at09:45:
This is a rundown of 77s official releases only. No Roe solo...no side projects...no boots. All of the opinions and observations expressed are mine alone, and are not meant to be taken as authoritative. Actually, they are only the rambling observations of a single, long-time fan who has been following the band since 1983.
PPOTA**
With the exception of a few tunes (A Different Kind of Light, the title track), it just doesn't hold up to me. It doesn't suck, but I don't find myself reaching for it much either. I remember hearing it when it was released and thinking "whatever." Then again, I was a metal head at the time. I gave it another chance when 1-2-3 came out. It still bored me. So sue me!
AFD****
The album that got me hooked. It has a major 80s vibe due to Charlie Peacock's production, but I remember marvelling at the sound of the album at the time. I loved it when it was released and I love it now. "Caught in an Unguarded Moment" still rules and YDSM is as close to Jim Morrison as we will get without the aid of George Romero or a seance.
77s*****
IMHO, this is a flawless masterpiece. I bought it my sophomore year in college and it got many plays...and I made some new 7s fans in the process. Too bad they didn't tour the nation and achieve teenage stardom. I know Mike prefers the demos, but this album is a classic...and it still sounds fresh today.
88****
Great live album, although it is missing some songs I would like to have live versions from this era, such as Ba Ba Ba Ba. The re-release is better, and I give it *****
More Miserable That You'll Ever Be***
I know, I know...it's not technically a 7s release. Still, the new material on it kicks. "Tattoo" is a great rocker and I have a soft spot for "Come and Gone", especially the closer I get to 40...lol
Sticks and Stones****
While this is a fan favorite, and I do like it, I think it is a bit overrated. It is more disjointed than PN and "God Sends Quails" and "The Loop" have always irritated me. Then again, everything else rocks nicely. It also has "Don't, This Way," a killer tune by any standard!
Pray Naked (erroneously retitled Seventy Sevens)*****
Loved it then...love it now. While it is a mishmash of demos and Strawmen material, it just has a vibe that I love. A perfect bridge album between the 77s of the 80s and 90s. Some of Mike's best melodies are on this album.
DWLIS***1/2
I have mixed feelings about this album. It seems like two separate albums to me and is almost as disjointed as PN. While I missed the melodies of the earlier 7s (although there are glimpses of it here in the second half of the album, such as "Film at 11," "The Jig is Up," and "Alone Together") but at the same time I dug the in-your-face rocking of the first half. I know Mike grimaces when he thinks about it, but "Snake" freakin' kicks royal a** IMHO. What a groove!
ttB****1/2
Another musical shift with the departure of David Leonhardt and A-Train. This is the heaviest 7s album by far, and I love the wide open production (the definition and "space"). Bruce's drumming gives the band a kick as well! The album flows better than any 7s release since the Island release, and in many ways, it gets better with age. Vastly underrated and not a single stinkbomb song in the bunch. It loses half a star only because it includes some of the band's strangest lyrics EVER...lol
EP****
Following the sound and direction of ttB, this takes that album's sound and builds upon it. Excellent songs, performances, and production. Only complaint? Way too short. Then again, it IS an EP! Some of the band's best lyrics ever, too. No clunkers here.
Late**
Take away the kick-ass live cuts and all you have is a repackaged version of EP and some remixes (yawn). I have always said that it is impossible to make a compilation of the 77s that works. They are a band that requires extended listens of complete albums. Comps just don't cut it. "Late" proves it. A worthy effort, but not essential.
AGFORC**1/2
IMHO, this is the 77s worst album since PPOTA. Hear me out. It isn't BAD. It's just kinda...there. I can't put my finger on it, but there is just something missing here. The musicianship is top-notch, and "Related" is a great song, but unlike other 7s releases, this is an album I can listen to and not remember much about it. The production is cluttered and most of the songs seem disjointed to me. They simply don't have the usual 7s hook. I don't know. I guess I just expected something more coming on the heels of the excellent EP. Again, not bad...but..but...oh, forget it!
Direct****
YES! A graceful recovery from that AGFORC in the road. The melodies...the hooks...they are all here in spades. Again, its only weakness is its brevity. I found myself wanting more. "Dig My Heels" should have been all over radio. Great songs and some of Mike's best vocals ever. "Lifeline" gets me every time. Bravo!
Patiently waiting for a new release! The worlds needs the 7s!
I had it signed by Mike at the Dogs concert on 7/16.
