The Embarrassment Albums (2)
What The Critics Say
Collected from various live shows, radio performances, and unreleased studio sessions, Blister Pop is a near-obligatory companion piece to the comprehensive two-disc Heydey 1979-1983. While the source tapes from which these tracks have been culled are necessarily lo-fi, the true power of the band as a live act is heard in tracks like "Podman" and "You're Not You Anymore." Of course, the recording quality does occasionally muffle some of the more humorous lines, like the barbs thrown at John Cale and Lou Reed in the Velvet Underground-esque "It's Like It's What You Like" or the tongue-in-cheek ageism of "Song for Val." Further, the Embarrassment's strength in covering others' material is obvious in the stomping "Time Has Come Today" and "I Wanna Be Your Dog," even though quirky renditions of "Oh Pretty Woman" and "On Broadway" may ultimately be more memorable. Faithful to its billing as an "authorized bootleg," the disc's insert has various errors, with songs and attributions occasionally listed out of order. As the set opens with the band him-hawing through a radio interview in which they're asked to define their sound, by the disc's end it becomes apparent that on many nights the Embarrassment were easily one of the world's greatest garage bands. ~ Matt Fink , All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A reunion album from the Embarrassment doubtless wasn't even on fans' lists of things bound to happen, but such indeed turned out to be the case. With all four members in place as before, the band whipped up a combination of new songs, re-recordings of older ones, and even a cover, namely a fun romp through the late Elvis hit "Burning Love." With Lou Giordano providing fine co-production with the quartet, the air of God Help Us is a solid combination of earlier nervy power and perhaps a touch more ease than before, though not enough to obscure the band's true talents. Nichols remains in fine voice, perhaps mixed once or twice more into the background than before but still a perfect frontman, while Goffrier's guitar work never lets listeners up, shuddering and powerful when it needs to be, gently hooky elsewhere. The Klaus/Giessmann rhythm section sounds like they've been doing it nonstop since the breakup, in perfect sync and never lazy or sloppy. Three songs from the band's first existence resurface here; two, "After the Disco" and "Lifespan," originally appeared on compilations, here getting reasonable enough revivals. The third makes for an interesting choice: the band's debut single, "Sex Drive," given a shorter read through here than on the original recording. It's not quite the equal of said original, perhaps a touch more conventionally rocking along as opposed to completely wigging out, but Nichols still sings it well. As for the newer songs, some, like "Train of Thought," which also appears later as a reprise, and "Podmen" show that the group's knack for quick, just frazzled enough tunes hadn't left. Meanwhile, "Beautiful Day" and "Horror of the Fire" show another side, calmer but still with just enough herky-jerky fun. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide
