Death Was Too Kind

Alternative Tentacles is smart enough to offer this compilation of the earliest 1978-1981 Subhumans (the original, fantastic Vancouver punk rock originals, not the later English band of the same name), completely remastered and containing the eight songs they released before their classic debut LP Incorrect Thoughts on two 7" singles and an incredible 12" self-titled EP. Two super rare outtakes round out the collection. With a red-hot guitar in Mike Graham's meaty riffs (he was even better live from their two 1981 New York shows), a kicking rhythm section, Wimpy Roy's "man of the people" spitting vocals, and the spark that came from being, along with D.O.A., Pointed Sticks, Young Canadians, Dishrags, Wasted Lives, etc., true pioneers in a stunning new scene: this was punk rock with everything that was ever good about it. The lyrics are sarcastic, sharp, and darkly funny: "Slave to My Dick" ("it really makes me feel sick!") is one of the most penetrating anti-anthems ever on the passions between the sexes, and the endlessly covered "F**k You" (brought to larger audiences later after Roy took it with him to D.O.A. and sang it there) is one of those "must have" classics of the era. You need this disc. ~ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover, Rovi