Absolutely one of the lost pop masterpieces of the '70's...nothing short of a pop holy grail! Tall words indeed but the music speaks for itself! The Wackers were just one of the many very creative and more than competent bands that failed to achieve mainstream success in spite of their talent.
In 1971, the Wackers released a strong debut, lushly produced by Gary Usher. While Usher was no doubt a great producer, some may find his production on Hot Wacks a little too slick. The songs and performances save the day though, and show the band maturing at a rapid rate. Bob Segarini, one of the band’s founders, had been in Family Tree and Roxy prior to forming the Wackers. He’s still on the scene today making albums, and if push comes to shove, I’d say that his other two masterpieces are Miss Butters by Family Tree (1968) and Gotta Have Pop which is a solo effort from the late 1970’s.
Hot Wacks is unquestionably the Wackers best album. Although at times a bit derivative of Abbey Road era Beatles (there’s even a side 2 suite), Hot Wacks is really a lost power pop gem.
I bought Hot Wacks on vinyl in the early 70's due to a review in Rolling Stone. This is one of the most brilliant albums, taken as a complete work, of this period. The Wackers are another example that the air or water in Canada grows great musicians.Unfortunately it proves the rule that more good music dies unknown than bad music gets attention.
Although the mix is a little muddy compared to the best, my guess is that the studio was using the typically crappy transistorized amps which had to be toned down because when recorded accurately, they sounded like fingernails on a blackboard.
From my perspective, the arrangements on Hot Wacks are inspired. Given the influences that Frank alludes to, Hot Wacks manages consistently to exceed its antecedents, sometimes by a country mile. The vocals float above the backing tracks, which are deceptively simple and incredibly tasty at the same time.
And, not to offend John and Yoko aficionados, the Wackers do a far more than adequate rendition of "Oh, My Love." Whereas Lennon's version is a plaintive realization of his love for Yoko, which seems to lament his previous ignorance, the Wackers' cover celebrates with tenderness the dawn of a new relationship: the first realization that one truly loves their new squeeze. Choose which seems a more honest or inspired interpretation, but don't dismiss The Wackers' because they had the guts to cover an "untouchable" song; they suceed on their own merits.
Each song is as good as the one before and all of them are fun little upbeat pieces. Cuts 7 through 12 made up side 2 of the original LP and run together as a continuous ten minute suite.
I weep for all the bands and performers that sank into obscurity without a blip on music's radar screen: The Wackers, Music Machine, Jules and the Polar Bears, The Records, Bram Tchaikovsky, Television, Nick Drake, the Syd Barrett Pink Floyd.
The Wackers - Hot Wacks (1972)
FLAC (EAC rip) Logs + CUEs cover scans 202 MB incl. 3% recovery (3 files)
Genre: Rock Year: 1972
Tracklist:
01.I Hardly Knew Her Name
02.We Can Be
03.Oh My Love
04.Wait And See
05.Do You Know The Reason
06.Breathe Easy
07.Time Will Carry On
08.Maybe Tomorrow
09.Hot Wacks
10.Anytime/Anyday
11.Find Your Own Way
12.Time Will Carry On [Wont It]
http://rapidshare.com/files/389795223/The_Wackers_-_Hot_Wacks.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/389796154/The_Wackers_-_Hot_Wacks.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/389795415/The_Wackers_-_Hot_Wacks.part3.rar
