The Soft Boys, A Can of Bees (side A)

A year ago, I wrote about a CD reissue of A Can of Bees.  Fortunately, my LP sounds a lot better—it's a bit too midrange-y if anything, which is a more appropriate problem.  Both the 1979 original and my 1984 pressing have a logical side A which plays to the group's strengths, with jarring rhythms juxtaposed against simple melodies.  While side B changed between the two pressings, it remains a bit awkward and incoherent in both cases.  The absurdity of the front cover cartoon feels more exaggerated in the 12" vinyl format.