Blitzed - An All Out Attack

Released three times (in 1994, 2002, and 2007) by three different reissue labels (Castle Communications, Harry May, and Anagram, respectively), Blitzed: An All Out Attack has maintained a surprisingly high profile for what seems at first to be a mere mishmash of leftovers. But the reason why this 28-track compendium of alternate takes, live tracks, and unissued material has stayed in print when many similar anthologies don't is that in many ways, this is as key to the Blitz experience as the studio recordings collected on its sister anthologies. (For the original versions of most of Blitz's key work, look for the anthologies called Hits or similar; Anagram's The Best of Blitz and The Complete Blitz Singles Collection are also good one-stop anthologies. All of these feature quite a bit of overlap, and one is likely all but the most insane completist needs.) Much like the Monochrome Set's conceptually similar (and musically, extremely dissimilar) odds and sods compilation Volume, Contrast, Brilliance..., the 28 tracks are exceptionally well-sequenced, blending solid, surprisingly tight live tracks with interesting alternate takes and ragged-but-right demos of fan favorites like "Warriors" and "Your Revolution." The set also includes the legendary unreleased 1981 EP Time Bomb (which their label balked at releasing due in part to the not at all subtle chorus of "4Q"), and a 1980 demo tape featuring early versions of some of the group's best known songs. There is no question that Blitzed: An All Out Attack is strictly for fans, and it's no substitute for a solid best-of and a copy of the still excellent debut album Voice of a Generation, but it's an excellent next step after both of those purchases. ~ Stewart Mason