The Unboxed Set
is exactly what the title implies; a single disc compilation that includes all four of
the Angry Samoans'
official pre-breakup 12" releases, including their classic 1982 release,
Back from Samoa
. One of the truly great '80s punk bands, the music of
the Angry Samoans
contained all the right elements: juvenile humor, raging barre chords, snotty vocals, and most importantly, a strong sense of justice and the everyman (except, unfortunately, when it came to homosexuals). In addition, they also had an unusually tight rhythm section and great pop songwriting instincts that placed them several notches above their contemporaries. All this is in evidence here, from vocalist
"Metal" Mike Saunders'
primordial screams on
"Ballad of Jerry Curlan"
to the hilarious faux-folk of
"STP not LSD."
Also included in the package are truly inspired liner notes from guitarist
Gregg Turner
, which perfectly capture the band's recklessness, nihilism and uncompromising punk attitude. ~ Pemberton Roach