Big Star vs. The Cramps

Posted by: willem on 26 January 2005

I played two records last night that I haven't heard for a long time.

The first was Big Star's '#1 Record' and the second 'Songs the Lord Taught Us' by the Cramps.

The Big Star record is highly overrated as far as I'm concerned. Early Seventies plastic Pop with an arty 'twang' to it. Boring lyrics, ('When My Baby's Beside Me') and music. Doesn't do it for me, wonder why I ever bought it, maybe because of it's reputation as a 'must own'? It's in the out bin already.

The Cramps' album (1980) was produced by -you guessed it!- Alex Chilton. It was recorded in Memphis, at the Sam Philips studio's and it is an absolute stonker!

It's 'Pop', but not as you know it, a sort of Rock- or Shockabilly, fast furious, daring, weird ('I Was a Teenage Werewolf'), a musical assault in the right sense of the word. Big, big Memphis bass, played as fast as you can imagine. Feedback bouncing across the room and of course there's Poison Ivy.

So, I ask you, is Alex Chilton a better producer than performer, or did it all come together by coincidence for the Cramps album, the studio, the band and the producer?

Just a thought.

Have fun with whatever music you're playing tonight!

Willem
Posted on: 27 January 2005 by Mike Hughes
... and the lyrics of The Cramps exceed the quality of those of Big Star??? Hmm. I'm not making great claims for Big Star on that front but to criticise it on that front whilst lauding The Cramps whose lyrics lack a great many basic things seems over egging it to me.

"an arty twang". Nope, I'm not hearing that either. Nowt "arty" going on in there. Basic 70srock combined with jangly crunch maybe but "arty"? Time for a system or ear upgrade perhaps?

The Cramps album is a good but not great album. The first two Big Star albums make a great compilation. Alex Chilton was never IMHo a great performer but his production skills are also questionable too. However, there are more great songs across those first three Big Star albums than The Cramps have managed in an entire career IMHO.

Mike
Posted on: 27 January 2005 by sideshowbob
I like the second and third Big Star albums a lot, and nobody can argue with the greatness of songs like "Daisy Glaze", "Life is White", "September Gurls", and "Stroke It Noel". I can probably live without the first one. OTOH the only Cramps record I've ever owned is Smell of Female and I haven't felt the need to listen to it again for 20 years, much as they're a fun group.

-- Ian
Posted on: 27 January 2005 by willem
Nothing wrong with ears or system, the Big Star <capitals> sounds </capitals> very good, although it is on a German reissue label (Line Records), it just is a rather boring record musically.

The Cramps record is all over the place soundwise. I don't give too much about the lyrics (or lyrics in general Winker) but the production is excellent. There is one more Cramps record in my collection ('A Date with Elvis') that is not half as good.

Ah, maybe I have to grow up first before I can appreciate music like Big Star.
Posted on: 27 January 2005 by sideshowbob
I wouldn't recommend growing up, but if you can get hold of the second (Radio City) or third (Sister Lovers) albums, I reckon you might prefer them to the first.

-- Ian
Posted on: 27 January 2005 by matt podniesinski
I will definitely second Ian's comments. Radio City is my favorite Big Star lp.

Growing up sucks. Just say no.

Regards
Matt
Posted on: 28 January 2005 by Mike Hughes
Indeed, I think there is much to recommend the second and third albums but I don't think any of the three are worthy of playing all the way through. Thus my comments re: compiling.

Sorry, but I have to disagree on The Cramps production. It's loud and not compressed which is harder to pull off than most people think but it's not a great production on any system I;ve ever heard it on.

Mike