This two-CD reissue of
Ducks Deluxe
's first two albums differs from the previous
Edsel
two-on-one release, as no tracks were omitted due to space constraints. In retrospect, these recordings seem more relevant after the passage of time, as they provide a clearer linkage between
British blues
-based
album rock
and late-'70s
punk
and
post-punk
new wave
. In fact, the influences of British
pub rock
span back to '50s
rock & roll
R&B
. Their take on
Eddie Cochran
's
"Nervous Breakdown"
bears an uncanny resemblance to perhaps his biggest hit,
"Summertime Blues."
But it's
's original pieces that evoke echoes of artists like
the Rolling Stones
,
Them
, and
Mott the Hoople
.
"Fireball"
sounds like a direct outtake from
All the Young Dudes
or
Mott
, while the
-rich
"Falling for That Woman"
suggests
Van Morrison
at his soulful best.
"Rio Grande,"
from
Taxi to the Terminal Zone
, wouldn't sound out of place on
Bob Dylan
Blood on the Tracks
. Conversely, the
forwarded by this band also foretells of sounds yet to come by both their direct offspring
the Motors
and indirect kin
Graham Parker
, whose early recordings were on par with the historic debut albums of
Elvis Costello
the Clash
"Please, Please, Please"
is a direct precursor to
'
"Dreaming Your Life Away."
Additionally, next-generation bands like
the Saw Doctors
owe a debt of gratitude to
, as they borrowed judiciously from their elders' bold musical stew. But regardless of the multitude of musical influences the listener may cite (and there are too many to mention), this blend of
rockabilly
blues-rock
country
pre-
known as
continues to stand the test of time. ~ Dave Sleger