Double dumb and full of fun Larry Mays The Candy Snatchers have gone and done it again.  Not content with flushing out one great album after the next they only go and lose records and forget where they put them or whatever shape it’s in.  This moronic pleasure was a lost treasure of Mays and it’s gone and been resurrected by Jake Starr and all at RPM can say is thank fuck for that!

Listen, If it’s by The Candy Snatchers and features the full face melting vocals of one Mr. Larry May then we’re reviewing it and even before the needle has dropped and hit the plastic we just know what’s going down. – A full-throttle audio assault and by the titles alone we can’t stop that shit kicking grin that’s spreading over our chops like a cheap hooker. A quick squizz down the titles and ‘No Time To Waste’ is setting things off in true Candy Snatchers fashion.  After a quick once round the kit in rapid fashion say hello to the air raid siren Larry May as he screams like a hall full of students being chased by some maniac in a mask on a killing spree.

Recorded back in the ’90s by the original nihilistic foursome they hit their stride on the beautiful ‘Pissed Off Ripped Off’, it’s unbridled, out of control and totally kicking the shit out of everyone and everything.  Larry and the boys have got the Stooges groove ‘If You Can’t Have Fun You Aint No Fun’ that is owned by the unconventional playing style of Matthew Odietus (R.I.P)  I bet these sessions were fun they sure sound it.  Jesus Wept, even on record they sound unhinged – they managed to capture that magic no question about that.  Take ‘You Make It Hard’ it’s fast – furious – uncompromising, but it has rhythm – groove and a tonne of attitude and is a pleasure to listen to.

Hold onto your hat kids it’s not all out of control as you’ll find out when they get their twelve bar groove on to ‘Hard Up’ as May takes five and croons with the best of them. Whilst thinking about a highlight or something I can hang my hat on to reel in newcomers its such a tough choice as there are nineteen bangers on here and each one has merits for a recommendation.  ‘Real Thick Head’ has handclaps and Gregorian chanting backing vocals and some shake your ass tambourine so there. There is even time (of course there’s time) for May and the boys to throw in a couple of covers in the shape of The Stooges on ‘Fresh Rag’ not that you’d notice. ‘Such A Fool’ is from the household names that were Rubber City Rebels not.  But it’s a cool tune and in fact one of the slowest most purposeful songs on offer here. For the most part its full throttle High Octane Rock and Fucking Roll of which there isn’t enough of and when these boys are at it full tilt or grooving it doesn’t matter because it’s magical.

The sound takes a twist for the last few tunes which is fine but with titles like ‘Ass Casserole’ I dread to think and then you have the gentle plow through of ‘Bum’ and again lyrically I haven’t a clue nor would I be rude enough to ask but the chorus has more than a nod to the misfits.  I’m not even sad when track nineteen rocks up because when the song fades or rather crashes and burns I can flip it over and do it all again. Larry May, you sirs are the ringmaster supreme and a magician, apart from that rasp and scream you possess you have a rock and roll band who are true in spirit and kick seven shades of shit out of 99.9% of bands “having a go at Rock and Roll” Out – Fuckin – Standin’ – Buy It! and thanks in no small part to JAke Starr and Hound Gawd! for making this all happen what a pleasure and not Moronic at all!

Buy Moronic Pleasures Here

Author: Dom Daley