Rainard Jalen

Originally, upon hearing about The Sonics and other 60s garage bands I was pretty excited. Though after a time, I had to conclude that the music, to me, is particularly difficult to listen to. It sounds so incredibly backward and dated by comparison to the hard rock music that would appear as little as 4 or 5 years later. Other than that, I've heard both Sonics albums and I didn't think either came anywhere near to equalling the raw sonic attack of The Who's My Generation. I was also disappointed to find that both albums are virtually swamped with covers? I don't think I came across so much as 10 originals across the LPs. Then, I could be remembering wrongly. But I definitely recall A LOT of covers.

But I appreciate how bands like The Sonics represent an important bridge, or stepping stone, to the better things that were soon to come.

TheCellarTapes

Don't you come on this Sonic Love Fest Thread with your negativity

You're right about the covers being included I'll grant you but is that a bad thing on a garage album? I mean like I say their cover of Louie Louie is astounding (The Kingsmen's version is a cover too don't forget, but still with their own slant on it). If The Sonics had not of made them cover songs their own then I would agree, but you really do not notice when listening. I mean do you find The Rolling Stones debut disapointing for the number of covers?

I would also be interested to see how Record Labels developed in the US and the UK and the differences between their viewpoints on how to sell records, because in England by the time 1965 came along for The Who's debut album, the labels in the UK were a lot less safe with their decision making, unlike a couple of years previous when The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were debuting.

So for me, comparing one of the pioneers of the US Garage scene with one of the top British invasion R&B groups is a bit unfair, so I'm not getting into like for like comparisons because they're not sharing the same bath in my view.

I have to say also that for me personally, I find The Who's My Generation just plain dull, if anything for the sheer amounts of time it has been played in my head, thats not to say it is not an exciting song, its just not fresh and youthful like it was, whereas The Sonics have kept that element due to external ignorance........making ignorance indeed bliss.

Rainard Jalen

I meant "My Generation" as in, the whole album. Really good work for 1965, and I think only a couple of covers too.