Published on May 25, 1999
Voted Dallas’ best new act of 1995 by the
Dallas Observer,
REO Speedealer (the band changed their name to Speedealer)
is a blasting jolt of punk and trash rock. From the reviews of
their live shows, this is one of those bands where you either
immerse yourself in the pits and get worked by a bunch of rabid
fans or you utilize your remaining brain cells and find a place to
see the carnage all while nursing gin and tonics.
But that’s live. And I can’t fight this feeling any more… this
album sucks. Sure they’re loud, and sure, I did get a chuckle out
of seeing some of the song titles. “Wow! They actually had one song
clearly marked on this album, ‘Double Clutchin’ Finger Fuckin’,” I
exclaimed to my roommate. But that novelty usually runs its course
after a few minutes. Songs like “Crank Bait” and “Cocaine Dave”
basically speak for themselves.
True to the punk form, most of the songs on their self-titled
album run under three minutes. The songs are also fairly
indistinguishable. The songs may be high energy and may be a blast
to hear at one of the shows when you’re too trashed to care what
they’re plaing as long as you can mosh into a couple of
unsuspecting victims. But an at home listening experience is
another issue.
When you’re listening to this at home, all you’re reminded of is
how there’re so many other bands out there that do the same damn
thing as REO Speedealer. Most of the bands may be playing at your
local tavern right about now. So do yourself a favor, save the cash
and show some love to your local music scene.
As for Speedealer, changing the name of the band may mean the
first stab at trying to establish yourself as a fairly legitimate
musical talent. Maybe they’re taking the route to success as the
Replacements did (release a couple of unlistenable albums then get
a rhythm going and write decent songs). But right now,
REO Speedealer can be left on the shelves.