The Aunt Bettys, one of rock & roll's best kept secrets, had a surprisingly short shelf-life given the dizzying excellence and energy of their debut, one of this decade's best albums. Amidst much rejoicing by fans of the band, Marathon Records, home of Farewell to Juliet among others, has gratefully gathered together an album of unreleased Aunt Bettys tracks and demos. Ford Supersonic begins bedazzlingly well with a handful of songs capturing the Aunt Bettys' signature sound, energy, wit, and modern rock enthusiasm. Regrettably, the middle section bogs down a bit with songs that aren't quite fully realized. They seem like shades of songs done better elsewhere by this band or one of Mike Knott's other musical incarnations. Before the end, however, the album picks up again with Aunt Bettys' rocking cover of "Rock Stars on H" which appeared originally on Strip Cycle. Some of the other highlights include "Getting Normal," "Two Timin' Jack," and "Movie Star"--which sound like Rolling Stones songs hopped up on some kind of speed. Additionally, "Ricky Racer," with its combination of rapid-fire Beatnik raps overlaid with Beach Boys-type harmonies, is another unusual, stand-out offering. The extra live cuts at the end are just an added bonus to an already mostly solid album. Although not quite as complete, compelling, produced, or energetic as their debut, Ford Supersonic is still a considerable rock & roll celebration. Certainly less controversial, too, and further proof that Knott's leftovers are more creative and fun than most bands' main fare. If you've been feeling like you can't get no satisfaction, try these tasty and true rock & roll tidbits for the soul.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #72Reviewed by Doug Van PeltWhat? I thought these guys were signed?! Guess what? They got dropped! They're history! Here's a collection of over a dozen demos from the planned-but-never-realized second album, plus a few live songs. You get a slightly re-worked version of this writer's favorite Mike Knott song of all time - "Rock Stars On H" (No, it's not an endorsement of heroin, but just the opposite); and, best of all,…Puddlegum 1998Reviewed by Jim MendenhallBack in 1995, when I heard that Mike Knott had formed a new band and been signed to Elektra Records, I just knew that the Aunt Bettys would be the biggest thing to hit the mainstream world since the Beatles. Four years later, the Aunt Bettys are not much more than a memory, broken up. Much like Steve Taylor's short lived band Chagall Guevara, the Aunt Bettys fell victim to label politics and…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Josh SpencerOne of the true alternative underground's most prolific music-makers, Michael Knott never stops. He's a music machine, a factory of fun, a full-on assembly line of top-notch rock 'n roll. Add the chops-to-make-veins-pop of Andrew Carter, Chuck Cummings, and Brian Doidge, and the stereo is a thumpin'. Thank Jeff Elbel and his little label that could (Marathon Records) for releasing these demos…Similar sounding releases
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