Woodwork Squeaks

ラリー・レヴァン、フランキー・ナックルズ、デヴィッド・マンクーソ等と並び、モダン・エレクトロニック・ミュージックの先駆者としてリスペクトを集めるWas (Not Was)の音源は、いまなお新鮮そのもの！

The original (The Woodwork) Squeaks, released on vinyl in 1984, compiled six tracks, most of which had appeared on 7" and 12" between 1980 and 1982. The 2004 reissue expands it to ten tracks, making for a completist-friendly catch-all of alternate versions, though some track-swapping that takes place between the original release and the expanded reissue of the self-titled album is a little confusing. The greatest attraction of all is Ken Collier's 12" remix of "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming" (one of the few easily attainable artifacts of the Detroit DJ legend's legacy), a perfectly utilitarian restructuring that sheds some of the original's excessive ornamentation while fashioning it into an insistent, bottom-heavy groove. An alternate look at "Hello Operator" tops the very different "short version," with the group at its grittiest and starkest. The remainder of the alternate looks aren't of much consequence -- a couple, in fact, come close to taking away from the brilliance of the originals. Do you really need three or four additional versions of "Out Come the Freaks" and "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming"? Not likely. Most of what made the early version of Was (Not Was) so brilliant, wonderfully crass, and such a dancefloor treasure can be heard on the reissue of the first proper album. Even so, ZE's extensive archival work should be commended, and the attractive package itself -- including a sturdy wraparound digipak and liner notes from Peter Shapiro -- is another treat. ~ Andy Kellman|