Scientists

Taking its name from the Perth studio in which the material was recorded, this limited-edition mini-LP combined the Scientists first (self-titled) EP with "Frantic Romantic," their first single (including B-side "Shake (Together Tonight)"). Although this line-up wouldn't last -- no Scientists lineup was ever stable -- and although the band would change musical direction (towards a heavier swamp blues hullabaloo) in the years to some, these early numbers hold up remarkably well. The proto-punk garage pop is akin to that of the Easybeats, the Flamin' Groovies, or the Undertones, with Kim Salmon sounding like an (appealingly) adenoidal Ray Davies. Although the catchy "Frantic Romantic" may be the better-known track, power pop groover "Last Night" may be the best. "Pissed on Another Planet," on the other hand, may be the weakest. Far from terrible, it simply comes too close to novelty, a little like Black Flag's "TV Party," which was released a couple of years later (interestingly, Henry Rollins just happens to be one of Salmon's biggest fans). This material would be reissued the following year -- on pink vinyl no less -- as Pissed on Another Planet. ~ Kathleen C. Fennessy, All Music Guide