Here’s a fresh rip of a forever classic, hot off the needle to soothe your end-of-summer anxiety. Here we have the second (and final) LP by Scotland’s Dead Neighbours, released in 1985 and featuring eight tracks of driving post-punk bliss.
For those unfamiliar, Dead Neighbours began as a Cramps-inspired psychobilly band, featuring the powerful baritone vocals of Craig Lorentson (RIP) at the forefront of their sound. The band was managed by Brian Guthrie, brother of Cocteau Twins guitarist Robin Guthrie, who helped develop the band’s cult following.
During the recording of their second LP, bassist David Steele departed the band, and the Guthries encouraged Will Heggie to join to complete the record. Heggie, freshly departed from the Cocteau Twins after a tumultuous tour supporting Garlands, was happy to oblige, and completed the record and stayed on to work on new material. Heggie’s incredibly charismatic playing instantly changed the dynamic of the band, and after swapping guitarists for Stuart Everest, the band decided to rechristen themselves as Lowlife, who would go on to release five highly acclaimed albums and a handful of EPs until their breakup in the mid-90s.
With that in mind, the shift in sound is already present on this LP, a clear shade of difference from their 1984 debut Harmony In Hell. Heggie’s energy can already be felt, and the songs appear harder, faster, and stronger, despite shirking much of their psychobilly roots. There’s still a little of that sound present, but just enough to keep things interesting. Lyrically, the album is very focused on mental illness and suicide, especially apparent on opening track “Wreckage of Your Mind” and the final track. Also worthy of note: closing track “The Cowards Way” [sic] was re-recorded by Lowlife and a more lush, dreamier version kicks off their 1986 debut record Permanent Sleep.
If you HAVE heard this one before, hope you enjoy a fresh 320kbps rip of this classic. I don’t happen to have their first album Harmony In Hell NOR the 1985 compilation Wild Women Vs Rubber Fish! in my collection to provide new rips, but hope this one satiates your ears for now. Either way, feel free to pull this down and crank it loud!
Dead Neighbours- Strangedays : Strangeways LP
1. Wreckage Of Your Mind
2. Turmoil
3. Terror Eyes
4. The Survivor
5. The Ultimate Goal
6. Beauty and the Beast
7. Tell Me Why
8. The Cowards Way