From the opening lines of “I Sell Soul,” a dark, dirty cut off Rocket From The Tombs’ new Barfly (Fire), it is apparent that these guys have lived through hell. The roughness of David Thomas’ vocals, the urgency with which Steve Mehlman drums out those beats—it is almost as if these ’70s rockers have a score to settle. The band, which reached prominence in 1974, broke up almost a year later due to the normal perils of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle: drug addiction, band rivalries and the constant firing and hiring of new members. Barfly is as much an album celebrating Rocket From The Tombs’ unparalleled sound as it is a chance for these old timers to show the new kids on the block how punk is really done.
“I Sell Soul” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/ISellSoul.mp3
