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Simply put, one of the greatest records ever made. Led by the masterful guitar playing of David Mitchell, The 3Ds' upbeat, high-energy songs were a giant influence on bands like Superchunk and Pavement, and the band culled melody out of noise in a manner only rivaled by Sonic Youth. Formed in mid-1988, the New Zealand noise pop band the 3-D's comprised vocalist/guitarist David Saunders, bassist Denise Roughan (formerly of Look Blue Go Purple, and author of that group's big hit "Cactus Cat"), and ex-Snapper drummer Dominic Stones. Hellzapoppin is their Debut album from 1991; "It was one of their best and -- perhaps ironically, thanks to the title -- one of their most Pixies-ish songs, but however you looked at, the giddy crunch of "Outer Space," with its flat-out fun melody, lots of crazy guitar effects, and Mitchell's vocals riding above it all with an audible smile, began the 3Ds' full-album debut with a bang. From there, things kept rolling along, resulting in a fine record that unfortunately got a bit lost over in the States because of the collapse of the band's American label, First Warning, shortly after release.
Thrashing and tuneful, while never pointlessly macho, songs like "Ugly Day" and "Swallow" radiate a great, fun vibe. Guest performer Alan Starrett adds a few extra instrumental touches during the course of the record, like a dulcimer and fiddle combination on the soft, Roughan-sung album closer, "Jewel," and viola and kalimba on the clattering "Teacher Is Dead." Mitchell's vocals are generally a little clearer throughout, at times eschewing his occasional hysterics for a more relaxed flow that's never lazy, as the fine "Sunken Treasure" shows. Songs like "Leave the Dogs to Play," with its hollow percussion and heavily treated guitars and vocals, show the band getting more comfortable with studio possibilities, while having a blast with them at the same time. Roughan gets her chance to shine vocally at points, as on the loping "Sunken Head." And while Mitchell can't help but sound like Black Francis -- that's just how he sings -- he does an admirable job on "Hairs."" Kiwi-Tapes.
Tracklist: "Outer Space", "Ugly Day", "Sunken Head", "Swallow", "Sunken Treasure", "Hellzapoppin", "Leave The Dogs To Play", "Hairs", "Something In The Water", "Homo Necans", "One Eye Opened", "Teacher Is Dead" and "Jewel".
Flying Nun FN225
Thrashing and tuneful, while never pointlessly macho, songs like "Ugly Day" and "Swallow" radiate a great, fun vibe. Guest performer Alan Starrett adds a few extra instrumental touches during the course of the record, like a dulcimer and fiddle combination on the soft, Roughan-sung album closer, "Jewel," and viola and kalimba on the clattering "Teacher Is Dead." Mitchell's vocals are generally a little clearer throughout, at times eschewing his occasional hysterics for a more relaxed flow that's never lazy, as the fine "Sunken Treasure" shows. Songs like "Leave the Dogs to Play," with its hollow percussion and heavily treated guitars and vocals, show the band getting more comfortable with studio possibilities, while having a blast with them at the same time. Roughan gets her chance to shine vocally at points, as on the loping "Sunken Head." And while Mitchell can't help but sound like Black Francis -- that's just how he sings -- he does an admirable job on "Hairs."" Kiwi-Tapes.
Tracklist: "Outer Space", "Ugly Day", "Sunken Head", "Swallow", "Sunken Treasure", "Hellzapoppin", "Leave The Dogs To Play", "Hairs", "Something In The Water", "Homo Necans", "One Eye Opened", "Teacher Is Dead" and "Jewel".
Flying Nun FN225
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