THE QUEERS
Later Days and Better Lays (Lookout)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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One of the greatest indie punk bands brings out the family album, revealing for the first time their baby steps, stomped out in 1991. This was only a tape in the possession of the band members until now, though I can't imagine why, since the music is powerful and, despite the vintage, fresh. It plays like a killer live show, thanks at least in part to the fact that the master tape was left as it sounded when it was recorded. As Joe Queer says in the liner notes, "we didn't clean it up 'cause it would be like putting a tuxedo on a kangaroo in my opinion. The spirit shines through." The CD also includes the three songs from their Bubblegum Dreams 7-inch EP, which fit the rest like a glove, so if the indomitable spirit of a good punk show turns your crank, you'll need to snag this one.

(C) 1999 - DJ Johnson