Salvation Army, The - S/T [ORANGE VINYL 40th Anniversary Edition] - New LP

Since Michael Quercio was the driving force from the start, this really isn't too far removed from the Three O'Clock material in general, but like the earliest Dream Syndicate singles, it's a good portrait of a band getting its particular act together. It's very rushed: a merry rave-up without being rampaging. While songs like "The Seventeen Forever" had the pace of L.A. punk, the band clearly didn't have an interest in the skull-bludgeoning impact, though Quercio brings in some fun snarl on "Grimly Forming." A slew of the songs had already been attempted in earlier versions, giving the group a chance to punch them up and around a bit for these takes. "She Turns to Flowers," "Going Home," and "Happen Happened" all benefit in turn, finding Quercio in at once strong and light voice -- his best area contemporary might have been Peter Case, though Quercio has a dreamier, wistful feeling in his vocals in contrast. Like many psych revival records, it's interesting to hear both the similarities and differences with the past -- while Quercio clearly knows his trippy guitar tricks, Troy Howell's drums kick through just a little more strongly in a clearer mix than many '60s forebears tried. The keyboards throughout from Quercio and Gregg Gutierrez add extra giddy fuel and flavor, a welcome merriment.