Archers Of Loaf - Icky Mettle
by Andy Cassidy
published: 27 / 10 / 2011
Label:
Select Label
Format: N/A
intro
Andy Cassidy looks at North Carolina-based alternative rock band Archer of Loaf's 1993 debut album 'Icky Mettle', which is about to be reissued in a two CD edition
Originally released in 1993, 'Icky Mettle' is the debut album from North Carolina’s Archers of Loaf and this release is the first in Fire Records’ series of re-issues of all four of the band’s studio albums. Packed with bonus material and new liner notes by Robert Christgau (the self-proclaimed “Dean of American Rock Critics”), the album is an attractive two disc set well suited to existing fans and newcomers alike. One of my pet hates is when one plays a “special edition” CD and, after the album proper is over, three or four sub-standard b-sides or out-takes suddenly appear. Basically, I like to listen to the album as it was intended to be listened to, and seek out any other material as and when I feel like it. This release bypasses this problem by having the remastered album on disc one and all the additional material on the second disc. The remastering process has cleaned up the album a great deal – I remember hearing the original version and finding it a little under-produced, but this release provides a crystal clear album with none of the “murk” of the prior version. Musically, the Archers are very much in the Foo Fighters mould – heavy rock with well thought out melodies backed by heavily distorted guitars and pounding drums. This album contains the band’s first two singles, 'Wrong' and 'Web to Front', and both tracks are as fresh today as they were when they were initially released. The bonus disc contains the EP 'Archers of Loaf vs The Greatest of All Time' and five of the group’s singles, three of which are paired with their original B sides. Included is the band’s first single and B side which was originally given away as a free cover-mount with 'Stay Free!' magazine. Also included is the group’s wonderfully surreal tribute to Broadway star Ethel Merman, originally the B side to 'What Did You Expect?' The liner notes are insightful and interesting, and the packaging of the two disc set is impressive. Clearly a great deal of time and thought has been put into this re-issue, and the effort has paid off. This is a great re-issue of an important album in the history of alt-rock, and a wonderfully packaged collection of the rare and the familiar. It is to be hoped that the remaining three re-issues will be up to the high standard set by this release.
Track Listing:-
favourite album |
Vee Vee (2012) |
Ben Howarth looks at American alternative rock band Archers of Loaf's 1995 second album 'Vee Vee', which has been re-released in a double CD edition |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPDwina Gibb - Interview
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Allan Clarke - Interview
Barrie Barlow - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart