L.A. Explosion [Bonus Tracks]by Anonymous

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February 26, 2003: For reasons that remain somewhat obscure, The Last seems to have remained one of the least known bands of the Los Angeles? pop explosion of the late-70s and early-80s. Their debut album, reproduced here on CD for the first time (and sweetened with a half-dozen fine bonus tracks), is every bit as seminal as singles, EPs and albums from the likes of The Plimsouls, Three O?Clock and others. Perhaps the lack of a major-label follow-up kept the band from greater acclaim, because it certainly wasn?t the music. ? Unlike many of their contemporaries, The Last brought several different influences together in their music, from surf to chiming British Invasion harmony singing (e.g, The Searchers-like "This Kind of Feeling," The Kinks-like social commentary of "Century City Rag"), to anthemic tunes that had the pop-punk energy of The Undertones, The Dils and The Clash (e.g., "Bombing of London"), to neo-psychedelic tunes like the opener, "She Don?t Know Why I?m Here." This was a band equally at home gigging with the Go-Go?s as they were with Black Flag. ? Unlike their live shows, however, the sound on this disc (originally released in August of 1979) is very tight and clean. Its combination of punk energy, chiming pop guitars and harmony singing, and Farfisa-like organ makes something of a bridge between the power-pop and punk of the late 70s and the paisley underground of the early 80s. Having formed in 1976, the band pre-dates the US arrival of the UK punk explosion, and their initial influences were grounded in the 60s, rather than the 70s. Clearly, though, punk energy flowed through the band throughout the years leading up to the recording dates for their debut. ? Song highlights include the punky "Slavedriver" (with a wonderfully cheesy organ riff to underline the Stranglers-like vocals), the beach tune "Every Summer Day," the new-wavey "Objections," and the Buzzcocks like anthem, "I Don?t Wanna Be in Love." The band?s gothic, dramatic cover of "Be Bop A Lula," inspired by John Cale?s remake of "Heartbreak Hotel," has a very Doors-y atmosphere, and Vitus Matare?s flute solo adds a winsome note to the melancholy pop of "Someone?s Laughing." ? Bomp has rolled out the red carpet for this reissue of the album they originally released in 1979. In addition to the original fifteen tracks, a half-dozen bonus tracks have been added, including both sides of the band?s first two singles, the A-side of their third single, and a cut from Bomp?s "Waves" compilation. The singles? distant, reverb-drenched sound is primitive compared to the album?s polish, but the raw energy they display gives a hint at the band?s live sound. The thick CD booklet includes an extensive new essay on the album?s creation by the band?s Joe Nolte, photos, lyrics and contemporaneous notes from Nolte?s journal documenting the recording and song writing. ? This is a five-star reissue of a seminal album of Los Angeles rock.