(Stilletto) Poised In Hate

 

Screamin' Magazine CD Review
Three Blue Teardrops-Teen Rebel Records-1995

Here at last is a CD which captures the Teardrops the way they're supposed to sound. This is a slightly reshuffled version of the Chicago psychobilly/rockabilly band's killer 1992 self-released tape, Heads Up For '53 (also released as The Taller the Hair, The Closer to God).

The fellas' 1994 release on Nervous, One Part Fist was pretty unsatisfying due to overly slick production which deadened their first-rate material. Eight of the songs that appear on Poised also were on Fist but on the new disc the results are far superior. This time out-as with Head's Up-the band itself handled production duties. It makes all the difference in the world.

Poised is 14 tracks of pure Teardrops. These guys stand out from the psychobilly pack by virtue of poetic lyrics, trademark mid song tempo changes, a fearless use of melody and an ability to both rock and swing hard. Included here are "Switchblade Pompadour" and "Long Hard Night," by now anthems of the genre; "Cadillac Jack," "Wanted Man" and "Shotgun Wedding," story-telling songs in the American tradition; and "Rough and Tumble World," a song which turns the typical good-times rockabilly convention on it's head.

Three previously unreleased numbers also appear. Standout among them is "Wished Upon A Star," a melancholy mid-tempo song penned by bass slapper Rick Uppling during his pre-Teardrop days with the Chasers. A tune this good deserves to be resurrected.

Fans of Three Blue Teardrops' live shows will be very happy with this disc. Those who have only heard One Part Fist will be pleasantly surprised at how these songs sound when recorded as they were meant to be.

-Dan Obermaier


WEST COAST PSYCHOBILLY HOMEPAGE
THREE BLUE TEARDROPS
"Poised In Hate"
(Teen Rebel Records)
From what I can tell this is a lot of original versions of songs that ended up on One Part Fist, just a bit less polished. Seven tracks are on One Part Fist and Seven aren't, the ones that are on it are different versions, like "Switchblade Pompadour", one of their best songs. One thing that my friend noticed, and I'll have to concur, is the kickass bass opening of "Petty Crime," I love slap bass, and solos are just the best thing since sliced bread. Three Blue Teardrops have become one of my very favorite bands and they never cease to impress me, this record is no change. The drumming is very powerful as usual, the bass playing is fuckin incredible, and the gee-tarin' is powerful as well. This is a band that really has its shit together. The band also tries out different kinda trucker songs and shit and they all sound great. And a Banjo on "Shotgun Wedding"!! I love banjo. What else can I say, the production is a lot better than I thought it would be, and thats cool, it still manages to keep the rough sound with reverbed out guitars and pounding bass. Buy everything the Three BlueTeardrops have ever made and do it now!!! thats all I can say.

(Josh K)


Three Blue Teardrops
Poised in Hate
THIS cd version (*warning* there are two versions) of "Switchblade Pompadour" alone is worth the cost of whatever you have to pay. It goes right up there on the list of insta-classics with "Surfin' Bird" or "Wild Thing." VERY STRONG!
-Johnny Chains

Three Blue Teardrops
Stilletto Poised in Hate Finally!!! An American release from the best underground rockabilly stompers around. If you were somehow lucky enough to get your stilletto grippers on on their bad-ass demo tape, or see them live you already know what all the fuss is about. For the rest of you, here are the essentials. The Teardrops are a roots rock trio based out of Chicago. These 14 tracks represent on a few of the top shelf highballs the Teardrops can serve up. Each track has a slightly different style without straying from the genre. This is EXCELLENT drinking music
by: Spike


Three Blue Teardrops
Poised in Hate
I picked this disc up at a Teardrops show in NC when they were on the bill in front of a skinhead show. I thought they were going to get their asses kicked but they were the ones that kicked ass that night. I thought the title was some kinda racist thing but was pleased to find it wasn't at all, just some Juvenile Delinquent punchline. This disc here is the goods. This CD is like as cool as Link Wray meets London Calling or some shit and noone knows about these here boys?! These guys put out 3 CDs and take my advice: this one here is THE one to own. The only problem is...years later my cd died and I wanted to buy one as a replacement and couldn't pick it up. I looked online and it was going for like $45 or some shit.(OK I finally found a cheaper one but) the label's gone and the thing is outta print! What the hell fellas?! Either re-press it or put out a new record! Maybe some bonus tracks? Something? music
by: Carolina Car Crasher

 

SPUTNIK ROCK AND ROLL
HOT! This Chicago trio puts out a revved-up version of rockabilly that's not exactly reverential; more like a wicked blend of of straight rockabilly with wicked smears of the psychobilly influence. Can't imagine that even purists wouldn't find themselves on the twitch after listening to this disc, since there's always enough stolen licks to hark back even while they're on some beer and nitro-fueled song fester. And just like the originals, the Teardrops have elements of swing, blues, and even jazz sprinkled throughout their material. There is a nice pacing of slower and faster material: hey these guys got a stone grip on what they shake. Some of the best songs for me were "Moment of Truth", "Cadillac Jack", and "Long Hard Night." Only complaint I have is that some of the vocals lack presence and come off flat. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
by: Ned Quick

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