BGO
's 2013 double-disc set pairs
Wet Willie
's 1976 studio LP
The Wetter the Better
and its live 1977 follow-up,
Left Coast Live
.
captures
at its absolute slickest (some would argue at its sleaziest as well, but only the album cover reaches such levels of greasiness). It's a SoCal soft rock record with a hint of a Southern boogie beat, all dressed in layers of harmonies, punchy horns, and sweetly dirty guitars. There aren't many standout songs here -- no hits, but the jam "Baby Fat" is turned into a live staple, "Teaser" rides an efficient L.A. groove, and "No No No" is a nifty little tune -- but this is a good-vibe record, one that effortlessly captures the thick polyester grooves of the mid-'70s.
emphasizes that hard-driving boogie almost to a fault, but this is a better representation of what
was all about: long, winding jams that emphasize the beat as much as guitar solos. Neither are prime
, but both albums have their charms, and it's nice to be able to get them in a convenient package. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine