Urge Overkill – ‘Oui’ (Omnivore Recordings)

Urge Overkill – ‘Oui’ (Omnivore Recordings)

Chicago’s Urge Overkill has been away a while in fact it’s a decade since we really heard anything from the pair but they’re about to put that to rights with the much-anticipated release of ‘Oui’ and its magnificent artwork. To be fair as soon as the needle dropped the artwork became a big part of the record and a painting certainly does paint a thousand words because this record is a beast.

Unfairly remembered by many as that band who did the cover of ‘ Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon’ but those who know simply know. They were much more than that (great tune and working of it as it was) the Grunge striding Rock of ‘Saturation’ was excellent (still is) and then ‘Exit The Dragon’ which saw the band call it a day for a while but with a varied catalogue of albums UO are a welcome return and its refreshing to hear a guitar album that’s just that – no tricks or gimmicks just great tunes recorded well and released in a timely undelayed fashion. Some might say a more mature-sounding band in 2022 but who cares, elder statesmen, survivers, rockers. It’s all good in my book and refreshing to hear a band just kick out the jams at their own pace in their own style.

Well, it’s been a while but Nash Kato and King Roeser are back in the groove with ‘Oui’, and what a return it is. Guitars are turned up and the pair sound right on it, enthused and full of energy ‘Oui’ is loud and focussed. There is a weird But here. The record does kick off in controversial style with a cover this time of the classic Wham! song ‘Freedom’ . Sure they give it the UO treatment and twist it to fit their style of old-school Radio friendly rock but I do wonder is it needed here? I’m not convinced (personally) but I’m happy to let it grow on me, besides it just sounds great to have a new UO record. Sure, it’s a great song – boundless energy and played with a cheeky playful smile but to open your first album in over a decade? Brave and controversial.

‘Necessary Evil’ is understated with cool hooks on the chorus with a finely distorted guitar chugging away under some smart licks and the vocals weave really well together to make for a great song. The tempo is maintained through the rockin’ ‘Follow My Shadow’.   ‘How Sweet the Light’ has got a touch of the Who about it from the drum rolls to the building verses with some great drumming. ‘Forgiven’ has got an all-American riff that has been well worn by the likes of Mellencamp when he wanted a ‘Leg Up’ it’s a driving rhythm and the slightly croaky vocals work really well as the Blues are chased away.

It sounds like the band is enjoying writing and playing – there is no pretense or experimental moments just solid rock n roll   Past Urge records always had at least one song where the band got silly or experimental.  Here, it’s surprisingly focused.  I do get the impression that this is a record that will continue to grow on me and moments where a fill changes the groove or tempo will jump out and prelong the journey which always makes for a slow-burning album that gets better with age.  

Hopefully, ‘Oui’ will do well and people will lap it up and it won’t be another decade before we get another Urge Overkill record to champion.

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Author: Dom Daley

Primal Scream – ‘Live At Levitation’ (Reverberation Appreciation)

Primal Scream – ‘Live At Levitation’ (Reverberation Appreciation)

Primal Scream’s ability to mix indie pop/Rock and dance broke down musical boundaries and opened all sides to what could be done in the ’90s, helping to push dance and techno into the rock mainstream.

Recorded in 2015 at Levitation in front of underground rock fans from around the world, the LP marks the next release in The Reverberation Appreciation Society’s Live at LEVITATION series, which captures key moments in rock

This Primal Scream set shows the band’s undeniable creativity and unique place in music, combining psychedelic garage rock, kaleidoscopic pop, and acid house to create a sound that’s simultaneously of its time and ahead of it. But ask me if it’s as good as the band’s ‘Live In Japan’ album then the answer is no. This is one disc whereas Japan is a double album that includes some right crossover bangers that this album doesn’t include as well as their awesome take on The Heartbreakers ‘Born To Lose’.

Known for their explosive live sets, the recordings show why Primal Scream are at their best live and around this time they were on fire and to be fair this recording does a great job in capturing that moment and the fact that the production is less polished or rather still has the soundboard feel makes for better energy. Belting through tracks off of 1991’s ‘Screamadelica’, ‘Give Out But Don’t Give Up’, and the heavily electro-influenced favorite ‘XTRMNTR’. Making it a bloody good show and mixing up the techno with some raw electric guitars is excellent and pretty much essential for any collector of Primal Scream.


Over the past three and a half decades, Primal Scream has embraced everything from psychedelic pop to degenerate rock’n’roll; euphoric rave to industrial gloom. They’ve survived drug oblivion, personal loss when their beloved guitarist Robert “Throb” Young passed and captured the mood of the nation several times over. Throughout it all, they have always sounded like Primal Scream.

Exclusive versions are being pressed for the annual Ten Bands One Cause charity initiative, launching around National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, and benefitting Red Door Community where no one faces cancer alone.

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Author: Dom Daley

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

If you were wondering if Mikkey Dee was keeping up his chops then worry no more because footage of one of our favourite Scandi rocking bands The Drippers teamed up with Mikkey to knock out a pretty impressive run through the epic ‘Iron Fist’

“Gently Towards The Light” is taken from Beechwoods latest album ‘Sleep Without Dreaming’ out on Alive Naturalsound and Sub Rosa Records and reviewed this week on rpm

Also coming this week is a review of the brand new MÄRVEL album “Graces Came With Malice”, released on The Sign Records

The Loveless – ‘Wild In The Streets’ (Cadiz Records)

The Loveless – ‘Wild In The Streets’ (Cadiz Records)

It’s been a long while getting here probably due to Covid and the shortage of raw vinyl but the wait is over. Marc Almond is the subversive pop star better known for fronting synth giants Soft Cell as well as being the tortured torch singer, and as of now, he’s the frontman for Britain’s best garage rock band. Ok, ok so they might be primarily a covers band, but it’s a bloody good one, featuring former Sigue Sigue Sputnik man Neal X on guitar and Iggy Pop’s rhythm section Ben Ellis and Mat Hector.

Almond never shied away from his punk rock and garage rock roots to be fair a lot of new romantics spilled out of the punk era and the Bowie/Pop/Reed fan clubs. X being Almond’s go-to foil for many a live tour and album and X having played with Stiv Bators before he passed away is some serious credit in the rock n roll bank account. After last year’s limited edition CD run featuring covers, it seems the band has spent lockdown honing their skills and crafting another bunch of seriously good covers of classic garage rock n roll.

Splashed onto 10″ of wax this time around they tackle some Alice Cooper with a sleazy ‘Is It My Body’ as well as taking on The Dolls ‘Pills’ and roping in the talent of Glen Matlock to help kick out the jams.

It would have been nice to maybe extend the release to include a vinyl version of that first CD-only album but all good things to those who wait or ask nicely – Pretty Please! The band are seriously rocking on these tunes and I’d love to hear what they could do with some more original stompers not that I’m complaining but one out of eight is a start. OF the covers obviously, Glam Rockers and Garage aficionados will nod their approval for the quality of the interpretations of these tunes and bravo for picking some lesser-known deep cuts rather than trotting out already popular well-known tunes.

‘Wild In The Streets’ is a suitably trashy rocker so they’ve proven they have the chemistry to do a full record of original and having shown their epic array of influences on these first two releases I’d be well up for hearing it. Let’s be fair they own ‘Is It My Body’ and their twist of The Kinks ‘I’m Not Like Everybody Else’ is rather splendid.

It’s a no-brainer kids, The Loveless need some love from our turntables and with these Eight tracks we’ll be ‘Wild In The Streets’ as we wind back the clock and get seriously down with some loud garage Rock and Roll.

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Author: Dom Daley

Fast Eddy – ‘Take A Look’ (Spaghetty Town Records/Boulevard Trash Records/ Dragstrip Records)

Fast Eddy – ‘Take A Look’ (Spaghetty Town Records/Boulevard Trash Records/ Dragstrip Records)

Denver’s Fast Eddy releases their sophomore album, and with a- dare I say it, more mature record (in as much as they are wiser in the songwriting department and have the recording and sound they want nailed!) 

From the moment the needle drops it’s a smoldering intro, no snotty kids making noise but one that says turn it up mother fucker Fast Eddy’s in the room. ‘Take A Look (The track is a slow burner) The title track grooves out of the speakers with a cooool guitar riff. 

Next up ‘Milwaukee’ is a supremely confident track that should be a radio hit for sure. With a cool backbeat, it’s a foot-stomper with a groove and you just want to move with that tambourine it first appears on the group’s “Toofer” 7” EP also released Spaghetty Town, in 2018. Complete with Thin-Lizzy Esque guitar duties shared between Morris and fellow six-stringer Lisandro Gutierrez, the track is the yin and yang of leading a full-tilt rock n’ roll lifestyle.

This being the first physical album Fast Eddy have released, the band have left noting in reserve and dished up a belter with songs like ‘Kill City’ (not to be confused with the Iggy classic) uptempo and rocking out with some cool riffing and good melodies helping rock out with some cool backing vocals straight out of the Hanoi Rock handbook. 

The album took three recording sessions to Atlanta from 2018-2021, even in the midst of a global pandemic. Thanks to the assistance of Dan Dixon and Biters Tuk Smith, these 10 tracks are far louder and more contagious than anything found at your familiar super-spreader. 

‘Dead Eyes’ is a radio-friendly slice of power pop with some great choppy guitar work. Adding another string to their impressive bow on the laid-back ‘Help Me’ that builds slowly like a bit of 70s glam mixed with some post-punk like Elvis and his attractions. They can still tear it up with the punchy ‘Hurricane Alley’ then they turn it up with a right ripper, ‘Lost’. It’s got some snotty punk rockin attitude mixed with Chuck Berrys rock n roll and a hint of an over-the-top Mott The Hoople for good measure. You can tell the band’s influences reach far and wide and whatever bleeds through is just left to keep on bleeding if the song needs it. An album that keeps on giving and one that with the right level of investment will reward play after play.

‘Game Of Love’ has touches of pomp rock and exaggerated larger-than-life thoughts with some glittery stack heels and huge flowing shirt sleeves but mixed with some tight leather trousers and a smoldering cigarette with a warm glass of single malt. The bridge is huge like Edwardian playhouse knees up or written after daydreaming about Oliver Twist dancing through the streets of sleazy London a few hundred years ago.

Before they sign off that Thin Lizzy dual guitar work is present on the upbeat handclapping ‘Frankie Died’ another tune that could and should be a huge hit. which only leaves the post-punk new wave-like ‘Sunflower’ yet another twist proving that the band won’t be pigeonholed into any particular Genre and just do Fast Eddy a little bit of this and more of that mixed together and poured out onto the turntable making a really impressive album that you really should invest in.

  Available in North America from Spaghetty Town Records and Boulevard Trash.  In Europe, on Dragstrip Riot Records Hell these cats released Killer HEarts last year as well so what are you waiting for?.

Author: Dom Daley

CHIP Z’NUFF – ‘PERFECTLY IMPERFECT’

CHIP Z’NUFF – ‘PERFECTLY IMPERFECT’

new solo album out 18.03.22

Pre Order Here

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to present ‘Perfectly Imperfect’, the new solo album by Chip Z’Nuff, who is best known for being one of the founding members of the popular Chicago-based rock band Enuff Z’Nuff. A first single and video from the record entitled ‘Heaven In A Bottle’ is out today, with the album out on 18th March.

‘Heaven In A Bottle’ is co-written by former Enuff Z’Nuff vocalist Donnie Vie, but all other songs on ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ are written by Chip, with the exception of a cover version of Honaloochie Boogie’ by Mott The Hoople. The album includes guest appearances from Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Steven Adler (Adler’s Appetite, ex-Guns ‘N Roses), Daxx Nielsen (Cheap Trick) and Daniel Hill (Enuff Z’Nuff).

“All the songs have been written as I see the world through my rose-coloured glasses. It’s my heroin letter to the new generation,” states Chip.

Chip Z’Nuff is an American singer, songwriter, bassist, producer and radio personality. He founded the popular glam rock band Enuff Z’Nuff in 1984, with their self-titled debut album issued in 1989 and becoming a huge hit. Chip has released more than twenty albums with Enuff Z’Nuff and has toured with the likes of Missing Persons, Steven Adler, Cheap Trick, Poison, The Tragically Hip, Foreigner, Alice Cooper, REO Speedwagon, Ace Frehley and more. The Grammy-nominated artist has also produced dozens of other records and has had his music hailed by renowned US TV host David Letterman and radio personality Howard Stern.

In addition to writing, recording and touring with Enuff Z’Nuff, Chip currently hosts The Monsters of Rock radio show on the Dash Radio Network, playing the finest hits in hard rock and heavy metal to a large and dedicated audience.

Social Media –

enuffznuff.com
facebook.com/enuffznuffofficial
instagram.com/chipznuff
instagram.com/enuffznuffofficial
twitter.com/enuffznuff

The Undertones new album and tour dates

The Undertones new album and tour dates

The Undertones are proud to release ‘Dig What You Need’, The Best Of The “Reformation Years” 1999 – Present on 11th March, on Dimple Discs.

Bandcamp ‘Dig What You Need’ Pre-Order: https://theundertones.bandcamp.com  

Digital ‘Dig What You Need’ Pre-order: https://orcd.co/undertonesdig


Possibly one of the greatest pop-rock bands of all time, Derry’s The Undertones have roots that go back 45 years to the 1977 punk explosion when they were beloved and championed by BBC DJ John Peel. Songs like ‘Teenage Kicks’, ‘Get Over You’ and ‘My Perfect Cousin’ are household staples beloved by millions across three generations of music listeners. The band’s reputation as recording artists and a brilliant live act has carried them through the recent two decades since they reformed in 1999 with new singer Paul McLoone. ‘Dig What You Need’ collects the best of their two reformation albums, 2003’s “Get What You Need” and 2007’s “Dig Yourself Deep”. Both albums have been digitally remastered and both are being released for the first time on vinyl. In addition, all tracks have been remixed by producer Paul Tipler (Stereolab, Elastica, Idlewild, Placebo, Julian Cope, The House Of Love). 


Guitarist and founder member Damian O’Neill notes…“So dig this: Thrill Me / Oh Please / I’m Recommending Me / Dig Yourself Deep / Here Comes The Rain  – all firm favourites on an Undertones set list these days, songs penned by John O¹Neill and Michael Bradley. So it’s a no brainer really that all these songs (and more) should finally be included on a best-of compilation taken from the two albums we’ve recorded withPaul McLoone. Even better is the fact we got producer/mixing maestro Paul Tipler to remix them with fresh ears and make them sound even better than the originals. Add to that the wonderful packaging and sleeve design courtesy of Bruce and Mary from Arthole and lo and behold we have a sonically cohesive bunch of nuggets waiting to be rediscovered all over again. So dig this compilation my friends – you know you won¹t be disappointed”.Since their reformation, the band has toured several times across the UK, Ireland, Continental Europe, Japan, Turkey and North America, with highlights that include Glastonbury and a pre-game performance at Celtic Park in Glasgow before a UEFA Cup play-off between Celtic and Arsenal. The band is much loved in all quarters of the British and Irish music media, with their debut album being voted into the Q Magazine Top 100 albums of all time. The band will spend March – May on the road with gigs across the UK, Germany and Scandinavia.  

The Undertones dates in full:

March10 – Sheffield, UK @ Leadmill *

11 – Northampton, UK @Roadmender

12 – London, UK @ Electric Ballroom

17 – Brighton, UK @ Chalk

18 – Frome, UK @ Cheese & Grain ^

19 – Cardiff, UK @ Cardiff SU Great Hall ^

31 – Newcastle, UK @ Boiler Shop ^

April01 – Manchester, UK @Academy – ^

02 – Liverpool, UK @ O2 Academy ^

09 – Munich, Germany @ Feierwerk

10 – Weinheim, Germany @ Cafe Central

22 – Dublin, Ireland @ Academy

May13 – Bremen, Germany @ Kulturzentrum Lagerhaus

14 – Düsseldorf, Germany @ Zakk

15 – Hamburg, Germany @ Markethalle

17 – Malmo, Sweden @ Plan B

18 – Oslo, Norway @ Vulkan Arena

20 – Göteborg, Sweden @ Pustervik

21 – Stockholm, Sweden @Slaktkykan

22 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Pumpenhuset

*Special guest Neville Staple Band ^Special guest Hugh Cornwell Electric

Tickets available from : https://www.bandsintown.com/a/17292-the-undertones

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTheUndertones

https://twitter.com/TheUndertones_

https://www.instagram.com/theundertones.official/

https://spoti.fi/3KtdgIM

Black Francis – ‘The Golem’ / ‘Nonstoperotik’ (Demon Records)

Black Francis – ‘The Golem’ / ‘Nonstoperotik’ (Demon Records)

Hot on the heels of the Edsel box set ‘Black Francis: 07 – 11’ comes the vinyl debuts of ‘The Golem’ and ‘Nonstoperotik’. Color vinyl, 2LP, Remastered, Gatefold is just about right for this series of Black Francis releases on wax for the first time.

‘The Golem’ is (for those who are unaware) a soundtrack album written and performed by Black Francis for the San Francisco International Film Festival screening of the 1920 silent horror film ‘The Golem: How He Came Into The World’. Of the concept, Francis said “Film fest wants a soundtrack to be performed at a screening… I don’t know how to do that exactly, but the idea that me and some buddies hang out at a studio and make a record I understand. So that’s what we do.” This vinyl reissue features the “rock songs” version of the album across two 140g grey vinyl and very nice it is too. I guess having a decade of distance between the release and the re-release is great as you can really put some love into the detail. I’ve not seen the film and have no inkling to do so but I might after hearing this record. from the first real track ‘Makanujo’ with its jazzy saxophone my brain is bouncing. ‘Bad News’ is like something the Eels produce. eighteen tracks splashed out over two slabs of Vinyl is great and don’t feel intimidated by the “Soundtrack Album” tag because as Francis fans will know all his albums are more like a journey anyway and some of the songs here are excellent and some of his finest to date off any album.

It’s a lot of music to get through but the experience is rewarding and the songs are great even out of context or sequence I raised an eyebrow and chuckled at ‘Little Star Theme’ when I first heard it on CD and still do on record with its dramatic pauses and flute work. I guess as a record Francis was able to throw the kitchen sink at this project and from Flutes to harpsichords and loud distorted crazy horse guitars, its all in here The acoustic strum of ‘Stars’ to the chaotic ‘You’re Gonna Pay’ its a great bunch of tunes and well worth picking up.

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‘Nonstoperotik’ – First released in 2010, NonStopErotik is the final Frank Black Francis solo album. It was written in the back of a Cadillac whilst being driven around the “crispy brown hills of Cali”. It was then Recorded in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and RAK Studios in London. producer and frequent collaborator Eric Drew Feldman was at the controls. Black said of the recordings “I had the title of the record and decided that was the theme, so I guess it’s supposed to be an erotic record. For me, I think it’s more of a weird record.” Here it is on wax for the first time on coloured vinyl.

Two months after The Golem, ‘NonStopErotik‘ was done and dusted. The album was recorded in double quick time much like a lot of Francis’ records with cohort producer Eric Drew Feldman.

A lot of this record feels like it could have been Pixiefied and flows really well. tracks like ‘Corina’ are just rock n rollas plain and simple but with that lose feel. Again a record I perhaps overlooked when it came out and one I’ve not played in a few years but have throughly enjoyed revisiting it here. Sure I go back to the first three solo albums that were Frank Black but maybe these re releases have sprinkled a bit of magic in these here grooves and this one has benefitted from the straight rockin feel. ‘Six Legged Man’ is majestic lofi fuzzed up and to the point which is uncomplicated and spot on. Between two and three minutes long makes for a cool album I’m not sure its erotic but Frank was right calling it a little weird but not too weird except for maybe ‘Wild Son’ and the mental picture of ‘When I Go Down On You’ and the title track is piano heavy epic and dark all without being any of those things if you catch my drift? it never builds into a loud ending but maybe a touch jazzy and smouldering before ‘Cinema Star’ closes off a really good record maybe ut of step clocking in at almost six minutes sounding like a Sonic Youth song especially the first third but then veering off with the querky keys at the end.

Tip of the hat to Mr Francis / Black hes a great songwriter and releaser of records with a hefty and impressive back catalog that has now been rightly released on vinyl. Do yourself a favour and get involved and dive in. Quality!

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Author: Dom Daley

Mud City Manglers – ‘Heart Full Of Hate’ (Beluga Records/Ghost Highway Records/Spaghetty Town Records)

Mud City Manglers – ‘Heart Full Of Hate’ (Beluga Records/Ghost Highway Records/Spaghetty Town Records)

We love loud guitars and this Beluga Records/Ghost Highway and Spaghetty Town Re-Release certainly ticks all the boxes as far as loud goes. To be fair these cats are the bastard children who will inherit the earth that The Stooges once strode on. ‘Shit You Talk’ can testify to that.

This particular bad boy is the long since deleted debut from the band and not since 2000 have you been able to get hold of a copy for less than a small mortgage off the likes of Discogs but now thanks to the true believers at these labels its available on a platter of wax. ‘Heart Full Of Hate’ has dated really well like a Ramones Leather or original SG it just gets better when it’s a little worn and knackered out.

Songs like the rapid barroom brawler of ‘1234 Motherfucker’ is nasty and up for trouble punch to the beak that’ll make your eyes water for sure. Theres no hanging around as one track collides into the next and just rips. Its riff after mother fucking riff for sure and The Manglers should have been a bigger success much the same as our own shit island heroes The Hip Priests the Mud City Manglers go full tilt and don’t deal in bullshit from the opening salvo to the explosive finale its all hands to the pump and rock the fuck out! it works and it still works to this day as a formula but only if you have the tunes. Boy, do the MCM have the tunes. It’s twelve bangers and thanks to these labels for not giving up on Rock and Roll and producing these long lost diamonds and pulling them out of the rough for our listening pleasure and getting them out to a wider audience for a second time.

Get yourself one more Beer and wrap yourself in any shade of black and don’t forget to keep a knockin’ because ‘Heart Full Of Hate’ is always rockin’ and will be another cool as record in your collection its equal parts Stooges, EF, Motorhead and a whole lot more besides and if you missed them first time out then don’t snooze this time get on this Hot Rod of electric guitars and snarling vocals its a blast!

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Author: Dom Daley

Cranford Nix – ‘Drinkin’ With Some Angels’ (I-94 Recordings)

Cranford Nix – ‘Drinkin’ With Some Angels’ (I-94 Recordings)

For those who don’t know Cranford Nix was the singer-songwriter born January 17, 1969 – Died March 12, 2002, of a drug overdose, yup way too soon. I still can’t believe its been twenty years!

Nix was a heroin addict and an alcoholic and had been sent to rehab four times. He escaped from rehab three of those times but stayed and completed it the fourth time. His time in rehab inspired him to write his most infamous song ‘Cigarettes and Heroin’ which isn’t present here on these recordings but if you’ve never heard it you need to. Nix was the frontman for The Malakas (good luck picking up their CD/LP it costs a fortune if you can track a copy down).

If you’re quick you will be able to pick up this live recording from 1990 warts n all but it has charm and has a peter pan cheeky innocence about it but we know that’s not the case. He was a talented songwriter that’s not up for debate it’s a fact. There are parallels to be drawn with Johnny Thunders performances. It seems sometimes chaotic and teetering on the edge of a big black hole and had it fallen that would also have been fine.

I do think about artists like Cranford and wonder what they could have produced had they won their battle with addiction and come out the other side still making music I think Cranford had so much to give. His cover of the Stones ‘Dead FLowers’ is appropriate and heartwarming. Sadly there are only eleven tracks here and I’d have loved to hear more. There have been loads of recordings on the web over the years of demos and live recordings but this is a really cool set that fans will be all over.

You get Ricky Rat joining in on the closing number, ‘Sympathy For The Devil’ but the rough diamonds are ‘You’re Gonna End Up Dead’ which is a beautiful tune, and if you want to hear raw, spilled heart lyrics then this is it. ‘I Just Need A Pill’ is like a wild horse Cranford is trying to harness and get under control and ride it like he knows what he’s doing. ‘Spiders And Snakes’ is a great melody and there’s a lost soul in its spirit one that makes me sad for the loss but grateful that we’ve got the music Rest In Peace Cranford Nix I94 has got your back and this is a tonic for the fans. Great record and tunes – Buy it!

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Author: Dom Daley