Taming The Outback - 1986-1989

These Southend lads seem to have had a bit of a raw deal back in th'eighties: recording an album that was never released, copping loads of comedy tabloid flack for their crucifixion photoshoot.. It's all fully detailed in the copious liner notes for this lovingly-produced retrospective. On this evidence it seems a bit of a travesty that their stuff remained largely unheard as they do a very mean job of the whole gloomy post-punk goth-rock sort of thing, most obviously recalling Echo & The Bunnymen (particularly vocally) but also bringing to mind early Bad Seeds and even the likes of Wall of Voodoo with the slight surfy western twang to the jagged, chorus-drenched guitar.. I guess that's the 'outback' thang. They've got tunes to spare, for sure.. A little bit samey perhaps but then this sort of thing often is, I find. This collection is obviously a total labour of love for the Equation label what with the 'regular' CD version coming in a hardback gatefold sleeve with a hefty booklet, photo reproduction and double-sided poster and the even more limited box set version containing all that plus a 7", four badges (for that black raincoat you'll no doubt have dusted off before the first few songs are over), a numbered card insert and a reproduction of a vintage fanzine. Pull out all the stops, why don'tcha?