Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Classic 1980 debut produced by Alex Chilton in Memphis! Remastered with 5 bonus tracks.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Rock n Roll Horror Punk road show rolled into Memphis in 1980 for the first official studio LP for the Marvellous Cramps. Released on Illegal/IRS in May 1980 and not a bass in sight; Songs The Lord Taught Us was recorded in that great Rock n Roll Mecca of the 1950's, the studio belonging to Sam Phillips, and like the Gravest Hits EP that preceded it, was produced by the brilliant Alex Chilton. As you would imagine, The Cramps' debut LP is in a similar mould to that of The Cramps' debut EP from the previous year. There are 13 Tracks in all on this album, but unlike that debut EP, wonderfully it contains a lot more of The Cramps' own penned material.
The albums begins with the sharp edged TV Set, from the outset with this album you do notice a minor difference from The Gravest Hits EP, in that there is a slight shift towards Punk in a number of these songs, but it is only slight, for instance with TV Set there is still those Garage Psyche and Rockabilly elements at its heart, and of course with Lux Interior on vocals, it can only be The Cramps.
Speaking of truly being The Cramps, despite not being written by The Cramps; track two entitled Rock On The Moon is just one of those songs that I would have loved to have heard the band perform live. Even in the sterile environment of the studio, this song just sounds so invigorating and exciting; once again you can hear that fusion of Punk with that vintage Rock n Roll vibe, quality stuff. The same can be said for Twist & Shout, this really is a cracking album.
This uncanny revival of Rockabilly with an underground edge continues with the absolutely tremendous I Was A Teenage Werewolf, a song which could only be sung by one individual on the face of the planet; an essential listen, its builds and builds to a howling climax, quite brilliant in all fairness. As this is The Cramps, there is also a tale of vampires with the angry and chaotic Sunglasses After Dark, coming through the layers of fuzz to become my favourite Cramps song at this present moment in time.
More Fifties B-Movie paraphernalia flies through the air with Mystery Plane, a song about a UFO which fits into this marvellous album perfectly. What am I missing? Oh yeah Zombies, so no surprise that there is a song entitled Zombie Dance, one for the whole family to join in with I feel. Some noticeable covers are also included with this release; these include a cover of the 1965 Garage master class from The Sonics, Strychnine, and an unusual version of Fever to close the album off perfectly.
At the heart of this album is an uncompromising rhythm, combined with sweet rockabilly guitar, layers of glorious fuzz and an exceptional performance from the front man, all entwined together with some style by the Producer. All bases on this release are covered with none of the parts showing any failings or weakness. This really is a truly fine debut album from a band who knew how to translate their live shows onto vinyl, brilliant stuff.
The albums begins with the sharp edged TV Set, from the outset with this album you do notice a minor difference from The Gravest Hits EP, in that there is a slight shift towards Punk in a number of these songs, but it is only slight, for instance with TV Set there is still those Garage Psyche and Rockabilly elements at its heart, and of course with Lux Interior on vocals, it can only be The Cramps.
Speaking of truly being The Cramps, despite not being written by The Cramps; track two entitled Rock On The Moon is just one of those songs that I would have loved to have heard the band perform live. Even in the sterile environment of the studio, this song just sounds so invigorating and exciting; once again you can hear that fusion of Punk with that vintage Rock n Roll vibe, quality stuff. The same can be said for Twist & Shout, this really is a cracking album.
This uncanny revival of Rockabilly with an underground edge continues with the absolutely tremendous I Was A Teenage Werewolf, a song which could only be sung by one individual on the face of the planet; an essential listen, its builds and builds to a howling climax, quite brilliant in all fairness. As this is The Cramps, there is also a tale of vampires with the angry and chaotic Sunglasses After Dark, coming through the layers of fuzz to become my favourite Cramps song at this present moment in time.
More Fifties B-Movie paraphernalia flies through the air with Mystery Plane, a song about a UFO which fits into this marvellous album perfectly. What am I missing? Oh yeah Zombies, so no surprise that there is a song entitled Zombie Dance, one for the whole family to join in with I feel. Some noticeable covers are also included with this release; these include a cover of the 1965 Garage master class from The Sonics, Strychnine, and an unusual version of Fever to close the album off perfectly.
At the heart of this album is an uncompromising rhythm, combined with sweet rockabilly guitar, layers of glorious fuzz and an exceptional performance from the front man, all entwined together with some style by the Producer. All bases on this release are covered with none of the parts showing any failings or weakness. This really is a truly fine debut album from a band who knew how to translate their live shows onto vinyl, brilliant stuff.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Cramps ushered in the late 70's new wave with their own mix of what was right and what was wrong. In amongst the mayhem that was CBGB's, with Debbie Harry, the Ramones and Iggy Pop came a band that ploughed it's own field. Raw rock'n'roll. No pop and no style, The Cramps are another world, fuzz guitar, stripped down percussion by Nik Knox and Lux Interior the original Teenage Werewolf on vocals. This music is like no other, the growling underbelly of rock. Fuzzed up enough to influence and spark the career of many. Recorded under the ear of Alex Chilton (Big Star), it is the roots of John Spencer Blues Explosion, it echoes back to Link Wray and pushes into the future with the likes of the White Stripes. If you like your music stripped down, raw and not for public consumption (sick) then this is definatley bad music for bad people. Stay sick, Purple Knif
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a great reissue of a great album- a blend of gothic, the rockabilly and too much horror/SF. This album is a minimal classic along with The Fall's 'Slates'- that Storks fans should check out to see why 'Is This It?' is the most over-rated piece of kak...Ex-Big Star man Alex Chilton produces the 1st, scary line-up: Lux & Ivy, the coolest drummer Nick Knox & the late, sinister Bryan Gregory...'TV Set' is the primal opener- a drum beat and searing guitar- no bass required!. 'Rock on the Moon' is dumb surf rock'n'roll that leads to 'Garbageman'- which is just as sleazy as anything by The Stooges. Superior trash! You can see why this was such an influence on Spacemen 3, along with the Gun Club's 'Fire of Love'. 'I was a Teenage Werewolf' takes its title from a classic slice of b-movie US paranoia (see Peter Biskind's book 'Seeing is Believing')- for those who liked the scene in the 50's diner in 'Pulp Fiction' you should love this!. 'Sunglasses after Dark' is a wonderful slab of surf feedback that predicts the joy that was 'Psychocandy'. 'The Mad Daddy' is a monster mash- too much George Romero, too many late night viewings of 'Carnival of Souls', too many readings of 'I am Legend'. 'Mystery Plane' is closer to the sound of the next album 'Psychedlic Jungle' (just as good)- it reminds me of 'Goo Goo Muck'. 'Zombie Dance'is another minimal slice of gothabilly; while 'What's Behind the Mask' predicts tracks like 'Green Fuz' & 'What's Inside a Girl?'. 'Strychnine' is a classic rockabilly song- too much speed& James Dean is a zombie. 'I'm Cramped' is kind of a theme tune- there is also a demo version here. 'Tear it Up' is a great thrash- Elvis jamming with the Stooges in the ruins of Sun Studios. The album ends with a cover of Peggy Lee's 'Fever' that makes perfect sense and features a great organ solo by Chilton (Booker C!!!). This is a fine, fine album that makes more sense with the march of time and one that deserves a place in any discerning record collection.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
a pillar of rock music
This is highly recommended as the cramps, unfortunately not so well known among the larger audience, have influenced a huge number of punk, rock, gothic, metal bands. Read more
Published 8 months ago by F. Panin
Better late than never
I only discovered the Cramps about a year ago, I wanted to find out who did the version of 'Fever' in the film 'The Hangover' and it led me to this album. Read more
Published 12 months ago by ZIMZIM
Essential for Cramps Fans
Essential for any Cramps Fans. Teenage Werewolf and Mystery Plane are great with some good alternate takes as well. I'm Cramped!
Published 17 months ago by statuescher
what I want to know...
what I want to know is when someone will take this album and make a movie of it and use it as sound track and story line.
I thought of Tarrentino but I dunno... Read more
I thought of Tarrentino but I dunno... Read more
Published 21 months ago by RJDROBERTSON
The zombies whilst the living dead tore it up
The howl of a thrashed convict latched limb by limb to a team of untamed monsters tunes the guitars on this Cramps debut. Read more
Published on 10 April 2010 by Dr. Delvis Memphistopheles
songs the lord taught us by the cramps
You know that your in for a treat just look at the cover and then to read their names, Lux Interior and the lovely Poison Ivy sets this up as going to be a hoot. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2010 by Tim Combles
I'm Cramped
I picked this up at a good price on Amazon although it had been on my Wish list until it was. This was a reminder of my youth and although not musical genius it is a good example... Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2009 by Andy
Alex Chilton please take a bow
I don't mean to take anything away from Lux Interior's band of weirdos but Alex Chilton (Yes, the frontman of Big Star fame) must take a good proportion of praise for this... Read more
Published on 12 July 2008 by Mr. H Chinaski
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
