88
1991 - Broken Records

All the critics say this is an amazing album, but frankly I have very little patience for it. The previously unheard songs for my money are best left unheard. And the tracks we have heard before -- I'd've made differernt choices.

That said, a couple goodies here that make the whole disc worth the cost of admission. First, the inclusion of The Yardbirds' "Over Under Sideways Down" - lotta fun. Second is the eleven-minute take on "Mercy Mercy," which completely blows the original under-three-minute All Fall Down version clear out the water. And the twelve plus minute performance of "You Don't Scare Me" is absolutely incredible.

This album was re-released in 2000 with all new packaging and an additional disc of live material entitled When Numbers Get Serious culled from various performances in the 90s. The first nine-tracks of Numbers are complete songs - occasionally of bootleg quality. The following six tracks are live excerpts for various songs that spotlight the musicianship of the members - vaguely reminiscent of Zappa's Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar.

track listing:
Perfect Blues
I Can't Get Over It
Wild Blue
Mary and the Baby Elvis
Closer
Where It's At
The Lust, the Flesh, the Eyes & the Pride of Life
Over Under Sideways Down
Mercy Mercy
You Don't Scare Me
I Could Laugh

personnel:
Mike Roe - guitar, lead vocals
Jan Eric - bass, vocals
Mark Tootle - guitar, keyboards, vocals
Aaron Smith - more pounding and thrashing

When Numbers Get Serious
The Days to Come
Paint It Black
This Is The Way Love Is
Alone Together
Flowers In The Sand
Snowblind
Outskirts
Woody
Nobody's Fault But Mine
Pick Up The Pieces
Honesty
Dave's Blues
God Sends Quails
Pearls Before Swine
Bridge Of Sighs
Saved

personnel:
Mike Roe - guitar, lead vocals
Mark Harmon - bass, vocals
David Leonhardt - guitar
Aaron Smith - drums, percussion
Bruce Spencer - drums percussion