The Soft Boys

This live performance, dating from 1978, sounds totally unlike anything else the band ever committed to vinyl. Half of the selections here are performed a cappella, often in styles reminiscent of doo wop, traditional folk, barbershop quartet, or the Andrews Sisters. The songs that do have instrumental accompaniment atypically utilize acoustic, not electric guitars. Most of the band's originals performed here are culled form their most recent release at the time, A Can of Bees. Over half the album, however, consists of covers, most of them highly unexpected; these include the Monotones' doo wop hit "Book of Love," and the smooth Elvis Presley chart-topper "All Shook Up," and the 1940s staple "In the Mood." Performances are very sloppy and off-the-cuff, yet somehow endearingly humorous; Robyn Hitchcock's surreal between-song patter adds to the fun. Recording quality is slapdash, with occasional distortion present; instrumental balances are at times rather haphazard. This highly unusual oddity is interesting, and not at all a bad listen. ~ David Cleary, All Music Guide