Now call me me a sucker for eye catching album covers but when I first caught sight of the eight naked silver painted ladies lined up in formation in front of a pyramid, something told me I had to get this. A bonus was the second album nestling behind it as well 'Ain't No Backin' Up Now' from these funk, psych, jazz, fusion pioneers of seventies rock. Isis were fronted by Carol MacDonald R.I.P, previously the guitarist in Goldie & the Gingerbreads (the first all female band to hit the U.K charts apparently) whose raspy Joplinesque vocals pack a real punch. This all female outfit musically throw everything but the kitchen sink into their first album, so much so that it's ambition can't be contained within the limitations of one album/nine songs. This means that some parts come across as unfocused, however there are some real foot tapping freak outs and catchy choruses, listen to Rubber Boy on side one of the first album for example, which drive the soul of the music to great heights and make this a Scratchy cult classic.
In my research I have read that one of the silver-painted girls dug the look so much, she kept it on, until she got sick from it the next day.. I hope that's true and it reminds me of the James Bond title credits in Goldfinger, for bonus points. I got to hand it to her that's suffering for your image!
3 comments:
1. It's an urban myth that being painted all over will make you ill (unless you use something toxic!)
2. Given that there were 8 female members of ISIS and the main one on the cover isn't exactly 'page 3 material' are we to assume it's the band themselves?
3. Do you have a larger scan of the cover???
:D
Mikey
BTW - I'm chauffering my wife & her mate up to London on 8th May in the evening to see Nick Cave. I was going to drop in on Mark while I was waiting for them.
Do you want me to pick you up en route & drop you back after so you can come to Mark's as well??
Mike
Mike
That part of the week is usually very hectic for me so Scratchy will have to decline your fine offer but it would be great to catch up with you guys at some point.
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