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Angst: The Early Recordings (1974-1976) Review
07/13/2005 6:21 AM, AMG
Power pop obsessives have long pondered the fate of the Scruffs, a Memphis quartet led by Stephen Burns who released one killer album, Wanna Meet the Scruffs?, on a local label in 1978 and were never heard from on vinyl again. As it turns out, there was a lot more where Wanna Meet the Scruffs? came from, and Angst collects 58 minutes of demos and early recordings that predated the Scruffs' debut. From the first cut, it's obvious Stephen Burns' marvelously idiosyncratic songwriting chops were already fully developed, and his obsessions with British rock and Big Star are placed front and center (the opening cut starts with a charming fake-accented "All Roight!," while "So You Wanna Be a Big Star" beats the Replacements' "Alex Chilton" at its own game -- and managed the feat while Radio City was still in print). And Burns' perspective on the joys and terrors of girls was, if anything, even more extreme early on than it was by the time he cut a proper album (it's reassuring to know he got a bit more comfortable with the opposite sex as time wore on). Angst lacks the thematic cohesion, tight arrangements, and studio punch that made Wanna Meet the Scruffs? an instant classic, but anyone who loved that album will love Angst for its great songs, rough-edged enthusiasm, and winning naiveté; it's thoroughly enjoyable stuff. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide
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