I’m not overly enamored for digital releases but sometimes they are a necessary evil like when a band as good as this releases a monster amount of music that would fill several vinyl records or multi CDs. Sure I’ve got everything they’ve ever released be it on Record, tape, or bonus downloads contained in the sleeves. Crazy & The Brains are a unique tour de force. They pay a ragged folky punk rock beat and do it on their own terms. They’ve been at this rock and roll game for long enough now and have so many wildly awesome tunes.

They first crossed my path when they released a split with Jersey Boys The Disconnects and I was blown away. They were a big part of the wonderful label out of Jersey the wonderfully named Baldy Longhair Records. I was sold the acoustic-electric punk rock was excellent but the Xylophone added something unique, something altogether memorable and it bloody well worked. Well, this compilation is Fifty Four track set, Yup, I did say 54! For the first time compiling all their singles, EPs, and covers in one place (God bless you Bandcamp) and all for a piss-taking low $15! Even if you’ve never heard of them $15 bucks is well worth the investment and one you can thank me later for.

From the primitive and tentative first step of those first demos through the brilliant ‘Let Me Go’, ‘Good Lord’, ‘Out in the Weedz’, ‘Into the Ugly’ and the crazy good covers this is a blast!

From ‘Sexy Magazines’ you then get the ‘Intro’ that just about summed the band up in under two minutes. thunderous rhythms and that free-flowing Xylophone tonking away like a bastard into ‘King Kong’ and the quite brilliant ‘Let Me Go’ Man these cats had some serious swing.

They weren’t afraid to mix things up either. ‘Out In The Weedz’ was more retro and had some cool backing vocals and harmonies. When they cut loose and went for it they were majestic – still are. They did cool like ‘Nasty’ as it builds up and cruises through the gears with some epic arrangements going on. ‘Hot Sauce’ is a wonderful change of speed almost a 50s inspired doo-wop era melody that builds once the electric guitar drags it into some Grease lightning party before just ending.

As we enter the final throws of this marathon journey through the band’s development we hit the covers and some crazy interpretations like the beaming ‘Great Big Kiss’ or the tear-jerking ‘Can’t Seem 2 Make U Mine’. They nail ‘Sweet Jane’ and of course, they breeze through ‘Oh Oh I Love Her So’ before they do an admirable job of ‘People Who Die’.

Crazy & The Brains just get it! Whatever IT is they understand that Rock n Roll has to swing and light and shade are important as is the Roll to go with the Rock. They do their music and art on their own terms and their passion shines like lady libertys torch. Punk rockers to the bones and songsmiths to the end, they deserve so much more, and it’s always a pleasure to hear new music from such a great band. Here’s to the next compilation of however many tunes because I’m sure they will reward the listener as much as this one has. Rock on brothers you Crazy, talented, original, beautiful bastards.

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Author: Dom Daley