THE CRAMPS
''I dig that goddamn Rock 'n' Roll
The kinda stuff that don't save souls...''
1989's "Stay Sick!" is another energetic rock album that clearly marks the highest point of the Cramps' musical creativity. Interestingly, the songs of this particular Lp have rejuvenated lyrical elements of the band's outrageous obsession with cheesy science fiction films and off-the-wall frightfests (which were temporarily lost in 1986's "A Date with Elvis.") In fact, the title of "Stay Sick!" was once a spooky catchphrase spoken by Ghoulardi, an early television horror host who became popular in Lux Interior's home state of Ohio. As a whole, this record is fueled by twisted rockabilly tunes, simplified chorus hooks and groovy pop rhythms. Supported by Poison Ivy's raw, vibrating guitar strings, Lux the frontman adapts an audio persona more warped than ever before; while belting out his vocals, he emits a fury of bestial growls, puppy dog yelps and strangely sexy croons. "Stay Sick!" has, of course, quite a few highlights. Upbeat single "Bikini Girls with Machine Guns" is an underground party hit heavily drawn from alcohol binges, psychedelic drugs and a whole other variety of forbidden excesses. "All Women are Bad" is definitely the most well written track here, as it briefly explains how enticing vamps in history led men to their ruin (and why we all love them for it!). In "Creature from the Black Leather Lagoon," (obviously dedicated to the Hollywood monster of the same name) good ol' Lux shimmers his hips in a hilarious Elvis Presley spoof! Beware, freaks and riff raffs: the sexual content on "Stay Sick!" is the most explicit ever presented (other than 2003's "Fiends of Dope Island"). There is no doubt in my mind that it was intended to press the panic buttons of mainstream censorship. "Everything Goes" is a throbbing country tune where Lux pushes fetishism to its most absurd level! "Mama OO Pow Pow" is a naughty barnyard ditty about spankings, bondage and other acts of kinky behavior. Snatch this incredible album...IF YOU DARE! ;) [Pamela Scarangello]
Vinyl rip of this, now a classic Cramps slab executed by Mr.Eliminator in Super-Sick Surfadelic fashion. "This stuff will kill ya, it's all loaded with fun!" Dig!!!!!
''Kiss kiss! Bang bang! Everything Goes!''
''Journey to the center of a great album!''
''The Cramps sickest album ever''
"Stay Sick" will make you well"
''Nice butt!''
***
"Save me the label of that perfume on the table,
so I can remember what made a wreck of me"
[All Women Are Bad]
SURFADELIC AWARD FOR BEST MUSIC VIDEO IN 20TH CENTURY!
"Save me the label of that perfume on the table,
so I can remember what made a wreck of me"
[All Women Are Bad]
SURFADELIC AWARD FOR BEST MUSIC VIDEO IN 20TH CENTURY!