Review → Death – …For the Whole World To See (2009)
Death - ...For the Whole World To See
Most people by now have probably heard the story of Death. Three brothers from Detroit who started a rock band after seeing an Alice Cooper show. They ended up only releasing one 7″ in 1976, before moving to Vermont and becoming a gospel band. Their music would prove influential for anyone who happened to hear “Politicians My Eye”/”Keep on Knockin’,” and in later years, their influence on the still-gestating punk rock scene would become apparent, particularly in bands like hardcore legends Bad Brains.
So now, here we are in 2009. Drag City has taken all seven songs recorded by the band on Columbia Records’ dime, and released them, fittingly, as …For the Whole World to See. So how does this hidden protopunk album sound?
This is some great goddamned music, that’s how it sounds.
First of all, the quality of the recording is excellent; signs of the major label funds available to the band at the time, no doubt. And these guys could play! This isn’t the blitzkrieg attack that the Ramones were busy developing over in Queens, but these guys clearly had the same ideas about how loud and fast could, quite possibly, rule. The album kicks off with their b-side, “Keep on Knocking,” and it’s got a great stripped-down ’70s hard rock feel to it. There’s an excited, energetic feel to the music here, and it’s infectious.
As the album rolls on through its woefully brief 26 minutes, the listener is treated to music from a band that deserved to be bigger, but arrived at their sound too early for the mainstream culture of the time. The songs sound like the product of a band that had honed its craft for years, and with proper promotion, could have been hits. Alas, they refused to change their name, and Columbia said “Good day, gentlemen,” and these songs were buried until now.
Music fans should consider themselves lucky that these songs have finally found a proper release. These seven ass-kickin’ songs absolutely rip, and are well worth your listen. What are you waiting for? Go get it!
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