Hey, Cana-duh?!?!

While I’m not one to jump up and down and clap my hands ecstatically when presented with the idea of bands re-recording their earlier work, at the same time I can’t claim that it’s a prospect that completely turns me off either dependent on the situation. In the case of Vancouver’s The Subhumans, taking their debut album, Incorrect Thoughts, plus an EPs worth of extra songs written at the same time for another spin in the studio and releasing it as Same Thoughts Different Day is completely and without a doubt warranted.

While most pundits of the late 70s/early 80s punk movement rate Incorrect Thoughts as one of the greatest punk LPs ever, for years its been widely unavailable and going for what many consider a small mint as far as records go. After the band reformed and started releasing new material in 2005, the prospect of re-releasing their earlier records was planned and, in the case of Incorrect Thoughts, scrapped due to legal issues over the original masters. The only reasonable course of action at this point for the band and their fans was to go back into the studio and re-record the entire album using modern day recording techniques.

Having never heard the original recording of these songs until last night, I’m in the unique (although not uncommon based on the original’s availability) situation of hearing Same Thoughts Different Day with completely fresh and unbiased ears and the idea that Incorrect Thoughts could be any more ferocious, sizzling and downright extraordinary is an opinion I find incomprehensible. I would have no problem placing Same Thoughts Different Day alongside other personal punk favorites like The Clash’s Give ‘Em Enough Rope and The Saints’ (I’m) Stranded as well as more contemporary records such as Leatherface’s Mush and Jawbox’s For Your Own Special Sweetheart. Catchy yet raw at the same time, this album absolutely smokes.

HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

The Subhumans – “The Scheme” (mp3)

(from the Alternative Tentacles LP, Same Thoughts Different Day, 2010)