The Unboxed Set is precisely what the title states; a single disc compilation that includes all four of the Angry Samoans' official 12" releases prior to their break-up, including their classic 1982 release, Back from Samoa. The music of the Angry Samoans contained all the elements for a Punk Rock band: juvenile humor, raging barre chords, snotty vocals and most importantly, a strong sense of justice. In addition, they also had great songwriting and an unusually tight rhythm section that placed them several notches above the others. From vocalist 'Metal' Mike Saunders' primordial screams on 'Ballad of Jerry Curlan' to the hilarious false-folk of 'STP Not LSD'. Release also includes truly inspired liner notes from guitarist Gregg Turner, which perfectly capture the band's recklessness, nihilism and uncompromising punk attitude.
J**.
The Unboxed Set
Five stars for the first 30 tracks on here (is that enough?!). This has MOST all of the Angry Samoans you'll ever need, although I would much, MUCH rather have the "Queer Pills" E.P. on here than the STP NOT L.S.D. LP.The early Angry Samoans records -- Inside My Brain (the Classic! the EP version I mean, although there are some great tracks on the B-side of that re-issue LP, which are here as tracks 7-11, with tracks 10 and 11 later issued on the Live at Rhino Records LP.(not a great LP, its highlight is right here, Right Side of My Mind)A perfect place to start: the original version of the incredible song which opens this disc (apparently inspired by The Shadows Of Knight's "I'm Gonna Make You Mine", one of the great lost '60s garage classics). But here, this AIN'T no love song, ha ha! There is more joy at the release of anger here to enjoy than on say, Bodies by the Sex Pistols! "just leave a man to his guitars, it's our way of expression"At times the lyrics verge on poetry on this album, I ain't kidding!But who cares about that, with lyrics like "there's nothing holding me back, and I listen to you, [...]!!" -- with music just as exhilaratingly liberating!! Its as much fun as quitting a job you really hated!Gimme Sopor? twisted. what can you make of lyrics like "got a dog, got a dog dog dog, I'm a hog--and You're a frog"? Great song!Hot Cars? Roky Erickson's favorite Sex Pistols song, or so he said! (Nah,it's an original). Inside My Brain and You Stupid [...]? these songs helped me seriously in high school! the former has such lines as "I see black christmas trees, barbed wire, funeral homes, I see your face, forest fires, rats in the street gnawing at your bones" (now that's what I meant by poetry! Ya gotta admit, it's a lot more clever than your average band!)The latter; hell, the best line in the world "1,2, I'm looking at you and there ain't nothing I missed, 3,4 I'm closing the door cause you no longer exist!" Then follows the perfect lines at [...] who doesn't deserve nothing man.Then a rant against Rodney Bigenheimer, a guy who helped more bands in the L.A. area than one can think of at one time (hence the 'Queer Pills' moniker on the E.P.) all I can say is...GREAT SONG!!! ha haThis whole E.P. has a style that should appeal to anybody into early '80s L.A. punk, [...] classic, man.The extras from that include the hilarious "I'm A Pig", which has been a personal fave by them since first hearing it. (the line about "a two-tub turkey, a tribute/nod to The Dictators). The early version of My Old Man's A Fatso has some additional lyrics than the first released version, from Back To Samoa; this has a slower tempo, which suits it better. Carson Girls is clearly an inside-joke tribute to, once again,one of their biggest influences, The Dictators. (Metal Mike's singing was probaly most influenced by The Thirteenth Floor Elevators, I'm guessing, tho any number of '60s band probably did it).Too Animalistic was originally done by Vom, a band which had Metal Mike on drums, and Gregg Turner too, with Richard Meltzer singing (talk about a Dictators connection!). Their E.P. was cool and I wish I never lent it to Kat, she kept it and moved, the [...]! (the highlight there was "I'm In Love With Your Mom").Back From Samoa is an uneven effort (recorded at I forget How many studios), but with enough instant (oh No! he's gonna write) classics on it to make it pretty essential. Gas Chamber, The Todd Killings (which, like They Saved Hitler's and You Stupid Jerk, are re-makes from the 'Queer Pills' E.P.; missing is "Time To [...]").You Stupid Jerk (later covered by the Muffs, but without that [...] singing), and Not Of This Earth ("I'LL PUT YOUR HEAD IN A MILK BOTTLE!!!) are both also highlights.But the real Masterpiece here, is The Ballad Of Jerry Curlan!Man, talk about one hilarious song! I can't even print the words from this one here! Completely filthy! Was really dissapointing when they later played it live and left out the good parts to do it as a medley with Decadent Jew (originally by The Nuns).For those who question how (ahem) politically correct this band, who sang about Hiltler's penis could be, Homosexual is credited to Jerry Falwell, ha ha!Part three, the Yesterday Came Today EP, really aint that great, it's not bad, it's certainly different. It's actaully a pretty depressing record.STP Not LSD just is plain lousy, with only the first two songs on it decent; it made me hesitant to give this five stars, but just consider it "bonus tracks" or something and you've still got one HELL of a terrific CD!Really, a must for anybody into mid-tempo punk, or early L.A. punk, or snotty punk, or funny punk...just a must.If you like the Circle Jerks first album, '60s garage rock, and psychotic lyrics, you'll love this.
R**S
Confirms that they really only needed ONE rerelease
I had 2 Angry Samoans records-- Back from Samoa and STP Not LSD , and I had always favored the first over the second. _STP Not LSD_ actually fell to the near-bottom of my pile after a while, because I wouldn't pull it out to play or even use it for mix tapes.And this 'unboxed set,' though very witty as a concept, just confirmed for me that Back from Samoa is by far their best work. All of their best elements are at play--nasty humor, abrasive attitude and that grand desire to tick-off undesirable elements. From the chilling call to violence with their classic "Lights Out" to the toilet humor and direct offensiveness of "They Saved Hitler's C*ck," to the wonderful simplicity of anger with "My Old Man's a Fatso" (a better version than the one found on Inside My Brain ), Angry Samoans were clearly hoping to ruffle feathers. The recording too was sharper and the playing tighter.But the other releases included (and, let's face it, always the ingrained downfall of complete rather than selective rereleases) have only spotty successes and are overall rather bland. By the time they got around to putting out Yesterday Started Tomorrow , Angry Samoans were just no longer angry--maybe at each other, but not in an interesting way, and the last two releases kind of showed me that they really were over at that point.So my advice would be to get the one hot album all on its own and relish in good Samoans. That they couldn't keep their own fuel going shouldn't matter to you anymore. Just grab your fork and make the first attack.
M**S
Good not great
Not a bad collection of songs. Bought it mostly because they’re from my hometown (Van Nuys). I’m more of a Minor Threat/Bad Brains fan but not a bad collection to have.
M**Z
Radical
Wicked Awesome! If you like Angry Samoans and still have a cd player, you're in luck!! 3 Albums cleverly put on one disc!
A**N
mandatory punk
Great comp of most of the stuff put out.
C**S
great
Everything... (Almost). Great compilation. Contains a few hard to find releases. Most out of print.
N**O
angry samoans
Classic music. Outrageous number of songs. Great buy. Must have for punk rock fan. Some stuff I hadn't heard before.
A**R
The good stuff.
Good punk rock.
N**R
ANGRY SAMOANS: articulate stupidity
Angry Samoans were a prime example of American Punk's gift for ambiguous articulate stupidity. In a world before PC sensibilities made everyone feel offended on everyone else's behalf they could thunder through a song called They Saved Hitler's C...k! And in barely two minutes construct a whirlwind paced paranoid science fiction fantasy that is funny, ugly, catchy and sinister at the same time. A lot of the tracks have obscure aims and could be seen as deadly serious attempts at causing offence or as ironic satire. All the early stuff is great Hardcore. performed by a band that could turn on a button, throwing in surprisingly complex rhythmic shifts and oddball chord progressions in a millisecond.The later songs such as Death of Beewak and Lost Highway are less frantic and almost romantic.Unboxed set gives you almost everything. 42 tracks on one CD says it.
A**R
Very good buy
Added this to the collection as I'm slowly backing up my vinyl with CDs. Very good value all together and can have Angry Samoans in the car now.
R**I
Punk as it should
Love them!!!
L**M
Punk
Great Music one of my favourite American Punk Bands
D**E
買いましょう
予想どおりレビューがひとつもありませんね。。。日本ではまったく人気がない事でも有名な?Angry Samoansですが、私は大好きです。90年代にはアメリカの有名バンドによくカバーされていました。ぱっと思いつくだけでもフーファイターズ、マフズ、アキューズド、クィーズ等がカバーしていたはずです。それはなぜでしょうか?かっこいいからです。このCDにはほとんど全曲が入っているようですが、個人的にはBack From Samoaが抜群に名曲ぞろいで、ジャケットも最高だと思います。このCDはジャケットがあんまり格好良くないので星ひとつ減と思いましたが、Amazonで買えるだけですばらしいので、やめておきます。このバンドは位置づけがまた微妙で曲がファストでショートなのでパンクの元祖とか言われますがたぶん違います。ガレージといえなくもない音ですが、R&Bや50〜60年代ポップスにルーツがあるような気はまったくしないので、いまいちしっくりきません。13th Floor Elevatersの前座をやったエピソードがあるようですが、もちろん似てません。音としては、タムはパンパンで軽く、ギターはシルバートーンをアンプに直結で暴れた音です。大変かっこいい音だと思います。曲は非常にシンプルでやりたい事が明確です。しかも、ありきたりではありません。似ているバンドはありませんが、孤高という言葉は似合いません。日本のSSみたいな存在なのか?と個人的には思っています。どんな人に薦められるのか良くわかりませんが、大体の人はGas Chamberには心おどり、Lights Outにはしびれると思いますので、聞いて損はないと思います。このゆるくかっこいいという事を人に説明する事は難しいので、聞いてください。
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