CD review, Apr 07. Last Crack – Sinister Funkhouse #17 / Burning Time

Reviewed - 28.04.07

Last Crack – Sinister Funkhouse #17

A curious band Last Crack, at the end of the 80’s they occupied quite a little share of mainstream metal magazine space due to their seemingly eccentric frontman, Buddo, and a somewhat off the wall musical style. I never really picked up on them, thinking they were another hyped Kerrang band, swept along with what such magazines were trying to tell us was the new cool; i.e. funk metal. Of course it was 95% dire, as is most of the rubbish foisted on us by Kerrang et al, being mainly glam rockers jumping ship into something a little more alternative and street, following the sinking of Hair Metal, or Glam Rock as it was known then.

Last Crack now occupy something of a more credible position, it seems, as something of a cult band. Web research finds sensible people admitting to having been big fans and vouching enthusiatically. Similar bands of the time include Mind Over Four, Mindfunk and at a stretch, Janes Addiction. Basically that is what Last Crack deliver… rock songs that aspire to some epic Doors like vibe while mixing a hefty dose of relaxed Zeppelin and left field LA influences. Buddo certainly has a Morrison-like delivery, though perhaps a little more rock singer than wannabe poet, though there’s plenty of both.

Sinister Funkhouse #17 is certainly the more glam rock tinged of the two, with tracks such as Shelter pushing things a little too far for my liking, but hey, if you’re gonna play this kind of stuff, why not try and make a buck? The music is actually quite pleasant and varied, though the guitar playing is often so gonzo rock that more discerning punkers or metalheads may well dismiss it as glam rock or more succinctly, rubbish. Personally I hear just enough credibility, effort and individuality to keep my interest. The songs are expansive enough to keep ones interest over repeated listens, which is really what the music takes to appreciate it. There are so many bands I could name that seem to be influences here, but Last Crack make a good effort of personalizing them.

Recommended to those that think they’d like to hear what I’ve described, and of course the web can furnish you with proof, but I don’t see this as being everyone’s cup of rock. Something of a curio.


Last Crack – Burning Time

Following the ’89 debut, this 1991 follow up is a more measured, almost grungy affair, certainly every time I hear second track Mini Toboggan, I can’t help but hear Pearl Jam’s Jeremy. Both were released around the same time so I put it down to zeitgeist and coincidence. While the latter moved away from their somewhat glam rock roots to righteous punk hippy territory, Last Crack maintained their Jimmy Page on acid guitar frenzies and Buddo’s off the wall sermonizing. These tunes are very spacious sonically and I guess reaching for a trippy, deep feel before returning to the heavy rock sections.

I actually really like this album in spite of my nagging doubts that it’s just a little too commercial or, to be honest, uncool. Fuck it, the whole point is to not give a shit what people think and in that light I have to give this the thumbs up. Again the band are a real curiosity; the vocal phrasing is often off kilter and sometimes possibly unintentionally zany, though judging from the bonus live tracks on this CD, they certainly had a dedicated following and played for fun as well as for keeps.

All in all two good albums though not for all tastes, but for me a rather interesting musical experience; somewhat dated, yet strangely enjoyable. Make of them what you will.