A BUZZCOCKS live review along with some great “comeback” albums
Going to see a great BUZZCOCKS show last night prompted me to think of 9 other artists who have made great albums after either being inactive for a decade or more or after producing mediocre work for a period of time after a period of legendary early work. While the Buzzcocks have made five consistently good-to-great albums since their first reunion album (1992’s Trade Test Transmissions), here are some other acts who have similarly made great records after long periods of inactivity.
LEATHERFACE’s The Stormy Petrel and ROKY ERICKSON’s new collaboration with OKKERVIL RIVER immediately come to mind, but since I’ve written lots about those records recently, I’m not listing them here.
An honorable mention must go to THE EFFIGIES Reside and perhaps others albums I’ve forgetting now.
Buzzcocks with The Dollyrots and Moon Women – Kung Fu Necktie (Philadelphia, PA) – May 14, 2010
Please see my full review here
Mission of Burma – The Obliterati (Matador)
At the time of its release, it was my favorite album of 2006. I still consider it by far the strongest of Mission of Burma’s (generally strong) 3 Lps since their reunion and one of the best comeback records I’ve ever heard.
The Undertones – Get What You Need (Sanctuary)
When The Undertones reunited in the late ’90s sans original lead singer FEARGAL SHARKEY, no one expected them to make an album that’s not only terrific, but almost as good as their first few. However, that’s exactly what they did here. There are thirteen smokin’ hot and catchy tracks here.
Johnny Cash – American Recordings (American)
I could put any of Cash’s albums for American on this list, but I’m going with this one as it’s the first and all the others are based on its template. There’s the stripped-down sound, RICK RUBIN production and odd cover choices specifically chosen to broaden Cash’s appeal to ’90s alternative and indie rock audiences. Of course, the gambit worked.
Glen Campbell – Meet Glen Campbell (Capitol)
Following the Johnny Cash template of attempting to acquaint Campbell to a brand new, younger audience with compelling cover choices but keeping the big, lush sound of his ’60s peak, this is an incredible work. Highlights include Campbell’s absolutely perfect versions of THE REPLACEMENTS‘ “Sadly Beautiful” and U2‘s “All I Want is You”.
American Music Club – Love Songs for Patriots (Merge)
After a ten year break, American Music Club reunited and released this stunning 2004 Lp. Fans feared that this would be a one-off affair, but they’ve since recorded another great Lp (2008’s The Golden Age) while leader MARK EITZEL has kept up the solo career that he started after AMC’s first split.
The Damned – So, Who’s Paranoid? (The English Channel)
OK, so The Damned never really broke up. However, until 2001’s Grave Disaster, they’d only released one studio album since 1986’s Anything. Of course, Grave Disaster was their first album with creative catalyst CAPTAIN SENSIBLE since 1982’s Strawberries, but while the music was compelling, oddly weak lyrics weighed it down. No such fault can be found with their latest album, 2008’s So, Who’s Paranoid? Simply put, it’s their best album since Strawberries.
TSOL – Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Free Downloads (Hurley)
While I’ve enjoyed the other TSOL reunion albums I’ve heard, I like this one the best. First given away as a free download in January 2009 on Hurley’s website and then released as a limited edition 12”, this is probably the closest that the reunited TSOL has gotten to the sound of 1982’s landmark Beneath the Shadows.
Celtic Frost – Monotheist (Century Media)
While Monotheist doesn’t break as much new ground as their ’80s classics like Into the Pandemonium or To Mega Therion, I’d argue that it may be even better than the albums made in the band’s heyday. Simply put, this is the heaviest album they ever made and though they broke up afterwards, leader TOM GABRIEL FISCHER (i.e. TOM GABRIEL WARRIOR) continues in the same heavy and dark mode with his new project TRYPTYKON.
Radio Birdman – Zeno Beach (Yep Roc)
This great 2006 album continues in the same mold as 1978’s Living Eyes. It’s as if they hadn’t missed a beat. ROB YOUNGER‘s voice is molded in clay and DENIZ TEK‘s guitar playing and songwriting still stuns. They even toured the U.S. twice after this album’s release, though unfortunately they’ve broken up again since then.
