By Joshua Dalton
Arizona Daily Wildcat
77Õs
1 2 3
Via Records
The wait is over. Rock, pop, synth, impossible-to-pigeon-hole gods, the 77Õs have, at long last, released 1 2 3. Affectionately rabid fans of Òthe SevensÓ have been longing for the collection of demos and the bandÕs first three albums, previously unavailable on CD, for just under five years.
1 2 3 contains over 200 minutes of pure rock, dancing pop, and sorrowful ballads. Disc one, Ping Pong Over the Abyss, is crammed with Led Zeppelin-influenced rock/blues that is also reminiscent of Big Star.
All Fall Down, disc two, opens up with the eerie yet boppy ÒBa, Ba, Ba, Ba.Ó And if the rest of the disc sounded like the screech of the Emergency Broadcast System, All Fall Down would be redeemed by ÒBa, Ba, Ba, Ba.Ó But happily, the rest of All Fall Down is far from an annoying screech. It contains 15 songs that combine bop and rock, with a cover of the Velvet UndergroundÕs ÒJesusÓ thrown in for good measure.
The real reward for shelling out $50 for 1 2 3 comes in disc three, the self-titled Island Records release. The 77Õs most memorable songs are here, from ÒDo it For Love," to the mournful ÒThe Lust, the Flesh, the Eyes, and the Pride of Life.Ó
The 77Õs boast of a career that spans over 13 years. 1 2 3 is a terrific chronicle of the first and least-known five that will undoubtedly please long-time faithfuls and 77Õs virgins alike.