
Think back some 30 years ago, and Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine were still riding high and on Worry Bomb, their fifth album – the duo of Jim Bob & Fruit Bat were joined for the first time by drummer Wez, could still do no wrong. Even in a world of Britpop, Carter were a breath of fresh air, that the world needed.
So this humdinger of a reissue is a newly remastered edition of Worry Bomb, which comes complete with a plethora of B-Sides and rarities that a Carter fan needs in their life. This review is all about the main album’s remaster for its 30th anniversary, which is a thing of aural beauty.
To say that this album was a bit of a departure at the time is stating the obvious, but for me, it is a snapshot of a group at possibly their best and one that is hard to beat to this day.
Kicking things off with the aptly named ‘Cheap ‘N’ Cheesy’ highlights Jim Bob’s wonderful, genius mind. Having not listened to this actual album in over a year, the newly remastered sound quality is the winner here, and the clarity is breathtaking.
How can any review of a Carter USM release omit the fact that Worry Bomb includes some of the group’s best singles in the form of Let’s Get Tattoos and The Young Offender’s Mum.
Some fans at the time missed the drum machine sound of their previous work, but for me that is what makes this one of my all-time favourite Carter releases.
From the almost metal/thrash-like riffing at the end of Aeroplane Food/Aeroplane Fast Food to the indie swagger of The Life and Soul of the Party Dies. This album was and is an indie classic that needs to be heard by everyone.
To contrast the full-on indie punk rock, the album also boasts some more experimental and acoustic tracks, as shown by the title track, Ceasefire, and My Defeatist Attitude.
Which, at the time, fans and critics alike were shocked by. The punk rock attitude and greatness still oozes out of every track here, even 30 years on from its initial release back in 1995.
One of the best things about this 30th anniversary remastered release is the extra disc that comes with it – These include a disc full of B-sides and rarities – which include their seminal cover of Shampoo’s Trouble, ‘Avon Calling!’ – a newly restored and remastered recording of the band at the Phoenix Festival on CD 3, and a DVD with music videos, a performance of ‘Let’s Get Tattoos’ from Top Of The Pops’, and exclusive new interview featurettes with Jim Bob and Fruitbat.
At the end of the day, this is a must-have purchase if you are a fan of the band, or even if you were a casual fan way back when. It is also a brilliant snapshot of the nostalgic power of music! So do yourself a favour and buy Worry Bomb – and bask in the glory of indie genius at work!
To mark the 30th anniversary of the album, ‘Worry Bomb’ is reissued for the first time. This expanded edition features the complete album across three sides of vinyl, plus a selection of bonus tracks on side four.
Newly remastered by Phil Kinrade at AIR Mastering and pressed on 180g translucent green (LP1) and black (LP2) vinyl, housed in a gatefold sleeve with poly-lined inner bags Whilst the CD includes live in Zagreb 94.
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Author: Dave Prince
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