Jay Reatard: Singles 06-07

Label: In the Red

The shape of punk to come? Obscured, misunderstood genius? Run-of-the-mill dude with an offensive band name? The music of Mephis madman Jay Reatard up to this point has offered more questions than answers, existing in the form of limited 7”s, internet message board activity and historically violent live shows. Maybe this collection will shed a little light on the much-mentioned, seldom heard sounds of Jay and co. Collecting six out-of-print vinyl eps, Singles follows the trend recently set by No Age and High Places of collection-as-album, and like those originators, Reatard’s songs flow nicely as short bursts of inspiration later clustered together. With a voice eerily similar to deceased Germs vocalist Darby Crash and an understated Bowie-esque glam influence, these 17 songs plow by with equal parts frenetic punk energy and melodic sensibility. For those less interested in the songs than the hype, you’re in luck, because there’s a bonus DVD with four speed-of-light live shows from far and wide. Look no further than the heartbroken-yet-snotty “Oh It’s Such A Shame” to evaporate the hype and let Jay Jay shine through as the killer songwriter he is. (Fred)