Sixties
soundtrack
albums have always held a special charm, especially those released on the
Tower
label, from
Psych-Out
to
Wild in the Streets
to this classic,
Riot on Sunset Strip
.
The Standells
open with the title song, and it would be a refreshing change of pace to hear this clever little gem instead of
"Dirty Water"
for the nine millionth time on oldies and classic hits stations. While
the Sidewalk Sounds
come off like some
bubblegum
surf
group, especially with the
Gary Lewis
sound-alike
"Make the Music Pretty,"
"Sunset Sally"
from
the Mugwumps
gives the album some serious credibility.
Debra Travis
adds a folky/earthy stamp with her one track,
"Old Country,"
but it's
and songs by
the Chocolate Watch Band
and
Standells
which are the collectors items.
make
"Get Away From Here"
sound vocally very
Strawberry Alarm Clock
, while
Drew
delivers an above-average '60s filler tune,
"Like My Baby."
It would fit nicely any time on some college radio retro show.
Dave Aguilar
's
Chocolate Watch Band
gives the album real grit and attitude;
"Don't Need Your Lovin'"
is fierce, and
"Sitting There Standing"
even meaner.
C.W.B.
took this opportunity seriously and it shows. The guitar fights the harp in this final tune, while the throbbing bass, drums, and vocal are pure
garage rock
magic. The novelty of the title track,
"Riot on Sunset Strip,"
is not to be lost because of
's over the top performance. Cool picture of
the Standells
on the back makes this something to put on the wall.
Mike Curb
Sidewalk Productions
, clearly on a mission here as the movie was hyped as "the most shocking film of our generation!," delivers vintage sounds of the day. He co-wrote the
title and composed
'
"The Sunset Theme"
(the word "Sunset" appearing in three song titles!). When comparing this to an early-'70s
like
Zacahariah
or the inconsistent '80s music put to the film
Soul Man
, the
album delivers more bang for the buck. Definitely something you want in your collection. ~ Joe Viglione