The Blasters (album)

The Blasters is the second album by American rock and roll band The Blasters. Originally released in the United States by the independent label Slash Records, its later strong sales performance required a deal for wider distribution with Warner Bros. Records.[1] The album was well-received, making Time magazine's list of "top 10 albums" for 1982 and peaking at number 36 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart.[2][3]

The Blasters
Studio album by The Blasters
Released	December 1981
Recorded	United Western Studios
Genre	Rock and roll, rockabilly, roots rock
Length	30:47
Label	Slash, F-Beat
Producer	The Blasters
The Blasters chronology
American Music (1980) The Blasters (1981) Over There: Live at the Venue, London (1982)

The album was issued in the United Kingdom via F-Beat Records. The British album featured different artwork from the American version, which depicts lead singer Phil Alvin in what was later described as "the way he contorts his face between almost every verse in his trademark grinning-skull grimace."[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
Rolling Stone	[6]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	8/10[7]
The Village Voice	A−[8]

The album was critically well received. According to a 2002 PopMatters article, the national distribution of The Blasters was an eye-opener for listeners of "rockabilly, country, blues, and New Orleans roadhouse R&B," who found a band capable of producing new material that "stood up well to the influences from whence they sprang".[9] Trouser Press declared that the album "smokes" and that the band's performance was "tighter than a drum".[1] Rolling Stone praised the "bright, raw playing, terrific taste and...full-bodied vocals", while drawing special attention to the band's drummer, Bill Bateman, whose playing it indicated was "[t]he real key to the Blaster's exuberant authenticity...."[6]

Track listing

All songs composed by Dave Alvin, except where noted.

1. "Marie Marie" – 2:07
2. "No Other Girl" – 2:29
3. "I'm Shakin'" (Rudy Toombs) – 2:22
4. "Border Radio" – 2:47
5. "American Music" – 2:10
6. "So Long Baby Goodbye" – 2:24
7. "Hollywood Bed" – 3:33
8. "Never No Mo' Blues" (Elsie McWilliams, Jimmie Rodgers) – 2:47
9. "This is It" – 2:15
10. "Highway 61" (Albert Laundrew) – 3:00
11. "I Love You So" (Bo Diddley) – 2:51
12. "Stop the Clock" (Bob Ehret, Damon Robertson) – 1:56

Personnel

The Blasters

• Phil Alvin – guitar, harmonica, vocals
• Dave Alvin – lead guitar
• John Bazz – bass
• Bill Bateman – drums
• Gene Taylor – piano

Additional musicians

• Lee Allen – tenor saxophone
• Steve Berlin – baritone sax

Technical

• The Blasters – production
• Roger Harris – associate production
• Art Fein – associate production
• Roger Harris – engineering
• Pat Burnette – engineering
• David Ahlert – engineering (second engineer)
• Gustav Alsina – cover design
• Steve Bartel – art direction

References

1. Young, Jon. "The Blasters". Trouser Press. Retrieved October 30, 2007.
2. Waldman, Scott (November 8, 2002). "A link in the chain". PopMatters. Retrieved October 30, 2007.
3. The Blasters - The Blasters > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums at AllMusic. Retrieved 30 October 2007.
4. Boehm, Mike (December 14, 1992). "A Rich, Vibrant Late-Night Show with Phil Alvin". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-09-17.
5. Deming, Mark. "The Blasters – The Blasters". AllMusic. Retrieved October 30, 2007.
6. Cohen, Deborah Rae (April 29, 1982). "The Blasters: The Blasters". Rolling Stone (368): 54–55. Archived from the original on July 10, 2008.
7. Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig, eds. (1995). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
8. Christgau, Robert (January 12, 1982). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
9. Bowden, Marshall (June 11, 2002). "The Blasters: Testament". PopMatters. Retrieved October 30, 2007.