The Lust-O-Rama - 1991 - Twenty-Six Screams

(45:46; That's Entertainment Records / Apollon Records [2022 Edition] )

Track list:
1. (Can't Do) Another Mistake 2:55
2. Yeah 1:20
3. I Want You 2:49
4. Been So Long 2:50
5. Night of the Sadist 3:01
6. Game of Love 2:27
7. Won't Be Running 2:34
8. That's Okay 2:18
9. I'm Down 2:19
10. Trip Me Up 2:01
11. In and Out 1:44
12. Run From Her 2:48
13. I Need to Know 2:31
14. (She Left Me) Crying 2:47
15. Again and Again 2:22
16. Gotta Be Loved 3:54
17. Trasher 0:36
18. She Just Left 2:12
19. 1-2-5 (Live) 2:18

Line-up:
Arne Thelin - vocals, harmonica, tambourine, maraccas
Erik Hovde - guitars, harmonica, vocals
Sjur Fladager - organ
Rolf Yngve Uggen - bass, vocals
Bulle - drums, percussion
with:
Carsten Johansen - bass


Norwegian band The Lust-O-Rama was an active band between 1989 and 1993, releasing a score of singles and EPs in those years before calling it quits. They also released an album, "Twenty-Six Screams, on US label Skyclad Records. Following many years out of print this album has now been remastered and released through Norwegian label That's Entertainment Records in cooperation with Norwegian label Apollon Records.

It doesn't take all that long to hear that the PR blurbs description of this album as garage rock with a 60's orientation is very true indeed, and nothing really deviates from that description throughout the album either. It is, perhaps, more of a neo type garage rock, as the music explored here does add a few impulses from here and there that came after the 60's, but the core of the material here comes from the time that rock was still very much in development.

While garage rock is one of those genres of music I'm not at all well versed in, I do hear some typical traits throughout all the same. The organ and the guitar share the responsibility for being the dominant instrument. Either one or the other but often both will have just about equally dominant roles. This goes for the vocal backing as well as the instrumental sections. The compositions also tend to be on the short side, as was customary back in the day. That the songs by and large have a jangly tone kind of comes with the territory when speaking about garage rock I suspect, and much the same is the presence of psychedelic tinged instrument details.

In a bit more detail I do hear a lot of solid nods thrown in the direction of 50's rock and roll here, with the basslines and drum section first and foremost but also from certain guitar details. The organ brings in the spirit of the 1960's here, while the pace, intensity and vocal style adds what I'd describe as a bit of a punk like attitude to the songs. Which makes the songs tighter and more energetic, even in the one case where the band has their very own go at playing the blues.

As far as possible references go I guess a lot of names could be dropped here, but to a lesser or greater degree when it comes to arrangements, sounds and melody lines I'd suggest bands like The Kinks and The Who from Europe and The Doors and The Cramps from the US as bands that might possibly have been inspirational one way or the other.

Those who treasure garage rock explored in a tight and energetic manner and love and treasure the sounds, moods and atmospheres from the 60's to be explored in a rough and somewhat jangly manner could do much worse than to sample this album. A solid and fun production in my book, and 30 years on I think it is safe to say that this is an album that has passed the test of time with flying colours.

Olav M. Björnsen, April 2022

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Thats-Entertainment-Records-1026399310873384
https://www.apollonrecords.no