Friday, August 31, 2007

The Outsiders - C.Q. (1968)


The Outsiders were a Dutch band from Amsterdam that were a part of the "Nederbeat" scene and sang entirely in English. The band's lineup consisted of Wally Tax on vocals, Ronnie Splinter on guitar, Appie Rammers on bass, Tom Krabbendam on guitar and Leendert "Buzz" Busch on drums. Frank Beek would later replace Rammers on bass guitar from 1968-1969. This is their third and final record, which sold poorly upon release but has since become regarded as a conrnerstone of psychedelic garage rock. C.Q. touches on a number of different styles of rock music. There is a combination of fast paced R&B with a punk edge similar to early Pretty Things, eerie experimental material (check out the title track "C.Q."), space rock that recalls Syd Barret-era Pink Floyd, and folk rock. What makes this all the more interesting is that these styles are frequently explored within a single song. In my opinion, this album foreshadows the directions post-punk bands would soon be exploring, particularly Chairs Missing-era Wire. The unpredictability of C.Q. has made it one of my favorite recent discoveries and I have the feeling it's something I'll be coming back to frequently. I'm also pretty into the Lichtenstein-esque cover.

Fun Fact: Apparently Kurt Cobain was a fan of the Outsiders and unsuccessfully tried to meet Wally Tax.

Stand-Out Tracks:
"Misfit"
"Daddy Died On Saturday"
"It Seems Like Nothings Gonna Come My Way Today"
"Doctor"
"The Man on the Dune"
"Prison Song"

Download C.Q.

7 comments:

Collin said...

Great site! I have really enjoyed going back through your posts seeing all these incredible albums you have posted and written about. It's funny how many of these albums I have sought over the years but have yet to ever find in the record store... I am particularly thankful for The Outsiders C.Q. post...I have really wanted to hear that album and it is damn elusive. Do You happen to have their self-titled debut album? I have an audio blog that is sort of an on-line version of my radio show that might have some mixes you'd like...it's at www.inkmathematics.com
I put a link to your site in there...hope that is ok.
well, i look forward to keeping an eye on your site in the future..
thanks, collin

Anonymous said...

Hang in there, Collin Pruitt. I, too, believed CQ to be elusive: nothing in the US or Canadian stores, CD versions advertised for sale online in the 100$ range, and such. But early this year, it started -- that antsy tappity-tapping of some subconscious message that eventually you have to heed, or it will drive you crazy, and it made me absolutely positive beyond any question there was a used CD copy of CQ in a store across town where I had not been in many, many, MANY years. I spent a small fortune getting all the problems fixed on the auto, so it could make the trek without launching suspension springs and bottoming out, and off we went on 28 March. Guess what?! CQ was there, right where it said it would be, $19.99. It is glorious. Don't give up looking, eh? "Just keep on trying ..."!

Anonymous said...

Love your blog, and compliments for noticing the post-punk feel of this fantastic album.

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