RANDOM RECORD WORKOUT SEASON 5 Battle 3 Volumatix: In the City (Side 1) Vs. The Inmates: Shot in the Dark (Side 2) Volumatix: In the City (Side 1) I do try very hard to be honest in these little workout reviews I do. And though it may seem as though I have all these factoids and information about these obscure bands, I try my best to impart that I am often just discovering these gems. Or in some cases straight up wax turds. The point is, I do my best to impart that often I am merely a rookie with ears when it comes to listening to these tunes. I don't want it to seem as though I am some sort of expert or snobby hipster know-it-all about "obscure band X". Quite the opposite. In fact, I detest that personality. No, the simple honest truth is I usually find these gems/turds in the dollar bin and gamble based on a perceived idea of what I think they MAY sound like. It's part of the charm and fun of this for me. I do LIKE the "off the beaten path" life and often am fans of "obscure band X" but it is purely coincidence. So. Having said all of that, Volumatix is a band I could find ZERO information on. Other than a few websites that list a catalog of Enigma records bands (a label they shared with Devo BTW...and part of my decision in picking it up) I had only my presuppositions that the time frame was right and they looked like they were trying very hard to mimic Missing Persons as my guide. Turns out I was right. And MAN they studied the blueprints well. I mean this could literally be a lost "spring session M" (#seewhatididthere) right down to the colorful clothes and a more bass version of Dale Bosio. As best I can tell this seems to be their only album and the band may have been based out of California. "Perimeter" is the first cut and it is new wave blitzen, baby. I believe this t be about the music industry ...on the outside looking in. "Mixed Emotions" follows with discordant bizarreness. Another Missing P trait. Maybe mix in a little Devo. So far so good! "Live Wire" contains some very operatic vocals throughout. Almost to the point of overkill. Frantic and frenzied. "Cost of Living" contains a new trick for Volumatix: simple and pure instrumentation. A nice math rock feel to it. "In The City" is not a Jam cover (#seewhatididthere) but it is a key heavy lead that exactly follows the vocal patterns. The final entry is for "Drive Song". Honestly I think this may be the one of the best tunes on here. Just a tune about a good tune to blast while driving. I think we all have one of those and feel that way, right? I know I do! It is injected with Talking Heads for sure. Volumatix did not disappoint and lived up to my imaginary expectation 100%. Man, I love it when I am right. The Inmates: Shot in the Dark (Side 2) This another incident where I applied my intuition logic and bought the album based on my perceptions. Not THIS particular album, but their debut....which upon listen yielded fruitful payoff. And so accordingly, I bought their follow up which we have here. I know I mentioned The Jam in the previous review, but it certainly is an acceptable comparison here as well. The Inmates are a British "pub rock" band, perhaps leaning towards a mod sound. They formed after the split up of The Flying Tigers in 1977. In the early 1980s, they had a respectable international hit with a cover of The Standells' "Dirty Water", and a UK Top 40 hit with their cover of Jimmy McCracklin's track, "The Walk". "Dirty Water" reached #51 in the United States in January 1980, and some sources indicate that the success of that song led directly to them recording their debut album. Shot in the Dark is perhaps a little less mod style and infuses some more early era Rolling Stones. In fact, Jagger and Richards wrote a song for the band ("So Much In Love"), so they have some street cred. The album kicks off with "Talk, Talk" and it's badass garage shock level riffage. It contains some quick bunsen burner chemistry (#seewhatididthere). "Why When Love is Gone" is the next track. Good vocal style-all Costello meets Tom Petty. More radio friendly melodies. I can't believe this band wasn't more popular. "Sweet Rain" fulfills the required ballad portion of the record. Pull up a rocking chair, have a sip of bourbon and slow jam. "Crime Don't Pay" -And they should know, they are INMATES, after all!! (#seewhatiddthere) the song has a heavy early Stones influence and proudly on the sleeve. Probably due to the earlier mentioned connection. They end with a cover of "(She's) Some Kind of Wonderful"- I believe Rascals were the original?? It's rocked up a bit more, but still pretty true to the original. I don't know why but I hear a Tom Petty but if he were straight up punk rock. Win or lose, This is absolutely why I do this. For the fun and discovery. Partially out of frustration for the current state of the music biz. So, two bands, two records, but only ONE winner. A tough one today, but Volumatix took 21 minutes to burn 160 calories over 6 songs. They burned 26.67 calories per song and 7.62 calories per minute while earning 7 out of 18 possible stars. The Inmates burned 127 calories over 16 minutes and 5 songs. That is 25.4 calories per song and 7.94 calories per minute. They earned 5 out of 15 possible stars. I have to say, with their criminally underrated hooks (#seewhatididthere), the Inmates take the cake today! Listen for yourself! Check out the links: Volumatix: "Young Girls in L. A. " even though this is not on this album, I could literally find only one other clip...also not on this album. https://youtu.be/JBspFSQdGcE The Inmates: "Talk, Talk" https://youtu.be/_Nm7xZnGisM #RANDOMRECORDWORKOUTSEASON5 #RANDOMRECORDWORKOUT
