What Goes Around - Johnny Thunders

By the time the Hearbreakers' debut, L.A.M.F., appeared in 1977, original bassist Richard Hell had already left the band. The original line-up (guitarist/leader Johnny Thunders, drummer Jerry Nolan, second guitarist Walter Lure, and Hell) had been playing around the NYC area throughout 1975, when there was a falling out between Thunders and Hell. Each wanted complete control of the band, and when it became clear that Hell wouldn't be handed the reigns, he bailed, forming Richard Hell and the Voidoids. But the original Heartbreakers line-up was one of the most promising New York punk bands, which made the split a waste. The only musical document of this incarnation are bootlegged concerts, and Bomp records compiled tracks from two of the best-sounding shows, and released it as What Goes Around. Although the sound is definitely lo-fi, the charm of this much-talked-about Heartbreakers' line-up shines through in their performances. Most of the Heartbreakers' best-known material is represented ("Pirate Love," "I Wanna Be Loved," "Can't Keep My Eyes on You"), as well as two eventual Richard Hell classics ("Blank Generation" and "Love Comes in Spurts"), and the classic Johnny Thunders ballad "So Alone." The Heartbreakers' best-known song, "Chinese Rocks" is suspiciously absent, and would have made this intriguing collection even stronger. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide