Cravats in Toytown

This album (yes folks, it was originally on vinyl) by the post-punk outfit Cravats came out in the early 80's, and was an undisputed gem. Fans of Magazine and Method Actors will appreciate the energy, lyrical genius and musical eclecticism of this UK band. A great bonus on this expanded CD release is the addition of tracks not heard on the original album. There's also a remixed version of the classic disc, which frankly is pretty superfluous. After all, the recording was not in need of improvement, the production and mixing was great then, it still is now. Imagine the Velvet Underground meets The Sex Pistols, and you'll have an idea of the beautiful strangeness that is at work here. Highly, highly recommended.

I don't like writing reviews, but I'll make an exception for this stunning re-issue of "The Cravats In Toytown". The facts are with that terrific Overground comp you get the original album, all the accompanying single tracks, plus a second CD which is a re-imagining of the Toytown Lp plus a couple of bonus tracks by Penny Rimbaud.Excellent value for money apart from anything else, but the quality on display sets this apart. The LP itself would be worth the seven quid charged here at the moment on its own - the Cravats make a wonderful noise, kind of like a mad version of the Stranglers speeded up and weirded out with a decidedly odd saxophone powering it along - "X.M.P." could be a Burnel vocal - but though it is a strange brew its also damned catchy and in a fair and proper world the Cravats would have stacked up the hits like an out-there Madness - starting with the wonderful "Gordon" single - and has a better angry song than "I Hate The Universe" ever been written? If so I'm still waiting to hear it.The Rimbaud-helmed "Alice In Toytown" ups the weirdness level and a scattershot of samples, conversations and ramdon noises atop song great songs presents a stunning alternative reckoning of the Cravats - well worth a listen too.All in all a lovely effort and much more thought and imagination has been employed than a shedload (or should that be a Shend-load) of "Deluxe Edition" collections. Everyone involved deserves all the accolades for this one. All we need now is the same approach taken to the equally fine second LP "The Colossal Tunes Out".

Definitely worth the money, 2 & half hours of wildly entertaining music, augmented by Alice on the second disc. Perhaps not my ultimate form of listening noise but plenty of moments to keep u entertained, I suspect there is probably too high a dose of Stranglers influence there for me, a band I was never a fan of. However can obviously hear links to later stuff like Very Things, who at their best were amazing. In fact vocals are weird combination of 77 punk, anarcho stuff (can def hear Crass & others) & as said more poppy NewWave/Post Punk. And just plain weird at times, just what was hoping for. Can hear how one chord punks may not have appreciated them. Can only improve with time like all the good stuff.

This album is sheer genius. I didn't think it would be possible to improve on the original LP but Penny Rimbaud's remix of the album is astonishing.

great CD

Fantastic album and a much needed cd release will appeal to crvatians young and old .a must for all jazz punk fans .