Can't Stand The Rezillos: The (Almost) Complete Rezillos

by

The Rezillos

Edit

Some of the other reviewers cite this album as a must-have for any punk or psychobilly collection. I agree--but really, it's a must-have for *any* collection!

My boyfriend asked me for a Rezillos CD for his birthday, so I bought this one. I'd never heard of them before, so after he'd blown out his candles and disposed of the pile of wrapping paper on the floor, we popped the album in for a listen. Madness ensued. 75 minutes later (give or take), I knew I had a new favorite band. I listened to Can't Stand the Rezillos during my 45-minute commute a couple of days later, and it ended up accompanying me to work every day for the next two weeks. I just couldn't take it out of the CD player--I mean, what could beat cruising down the freeway at 80mph, dancing and singing along with the most fun band that ever existed?

The Rezillos are reminiscent of a weird Ramones/B-52s amalgamation--as fun as the Ramones, but more coherent--and as weird as the B-52s, but in my opinion much more listenable. They are, to me, the best possible combination of punk and new wave the late 70s had to offer. The distinctive style of the Rezillos' music, combined with stellar bass lines and enthusiastic vocals, makes for a non-stop barrage of super-fun songs that will make you want to jump around and dance--no matter how many of your fellow motorists on the highway are pointing and laughing at you while you do it.

First, the good news: The Rezillos were an amazing band. At their best they embodied the perfect blend of buzzsaw punk and quirky new wave, with some groovy 60's rock thrown in for good measure. Is there an album in existence that has the killer opening one-two-three punch comparable to "Flying Saucer Attack," "No," and "Somebodies Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight?" No. Can you find better bass playing anywhere (if you say "Primus," you will be drawn and quartered)? No. Unfortunately, the rerelease of this album is a cluttered mess. I would have much preferred just the 13 songs of "Can't Stand The Rezillos" to the 28 songs we get here. Sure, it's nice to get more for your money, but the live songs, when compared to the recorded versions, are lifeless (listen to the half-hearted backing vocals on the live version of "...Kicked In Tonight"), not to mention that the sound quality is almost non-existent. Still, "Can't Stand The Rezillos" is a must-have if you're into 70's punk. Just make a tape of it that ends after track 13.