Fire Of Love (studio album) by The Gun Club

From Brad1770 09/26/2022 07:26

Gun Club live albums are often of bootleg quality and this ones no different despite a remaster and 2022 release, however this ones special despite the poor sound quality

Firstly, it was recorded a full six months before their debut album ‘Fire of Love’ was released in August 1981, capturing the band at their rawest pre fame best and includes many songs that would become Gun club staples such as “Sex Beat” / “Preaching the Blues” / “She’s Like Heroin to Me” / “Ghost on the Highway” and “Jack on Fire” all appearing on ‘Fire of Love’ as well as ‘Miami’ tracks “Fire of Love” and “A Devil in the Woods”

Secondly, this album includes as a bonus five rare 4 Track Demo’s of GC classics from the same 81/82 era. A real treat for GC fans

Starts great, but then it comes to me as uninteresting post punk. Not bad, not great either.

Some great songs on here but there are also some quite dull ones present. The influence this group had on the White Stripes is evident just by listening to the music. It is short and snappy with some catchy instrumentation that is quite heavy. This style works brilliantly on the songs Sex Beat, She's Like Heroin To Me, Fire Spirit and Ghost On The Highway. That combination of blues and punk just works so perfectly together on these tracks and it makes for a very enjoyable listen. However, the repetitive song structure and stylings do get a bit bland and boring by the end. This leads to the record feeling like it drags and quite a significant dip in quality on the songs that don't hook you. Overall, an interesting combination of genres that works very effectively in places but also struggles on the slower tracks that lack energy.

strumming punk edgy half decent

From Dankel 03/19/2021 20:02

IMHO one of those albums that defines a whole genre, in this case punk blues. Clearly owing a lot to the Cramps but taking a high velocity brand of blues and punk to add to the mix, add great vocals from Jeffrey Lee Pierce and an excellent choice of songs - especially old blues numbers and you have a classic album.

Favorite Tracks:Sex Beat, Preaching The Blues, Black Train, Good Bye Johnny

Good idea, but I found the mixing a bit thin. Maybe the CD version I've listened to needs to be remastered.

From Brad1770 12/11/2017 07:36

This album was my introduction to The Gun Club and remains my favourite GC album ahead of Miami . Dripping with classic track after classic track the real hero here are Jeffery Lee Pierces vocals . This album sits completely safe within my all time list

This is a band and album I really would love to love, but it just isn't happening. Can't put my finger on the why.

From timtooky 03/26/2014 21:18

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