The Eat - It's Not The Eat, It's The Humidity [Alternative Tentacles - 2007]The Eat were a southern Florida band who’s lifespan was from 1979 to 1985, they played short 'n' tuneful punk rock, with new wave touches and ultimate a good time rock and roll heart. This double disk set brings togeather a lot of their out print discography on disk one and the second disk offers up four live shows from over the years. Disc one offers up 30 tracks in all, most lasting around the minute and half to just over two mintues. Each track is memorable, fun and often political lyrical but it’s never rammed down your neck- they brought to my mind Uk Punkers The undertones, who I guess were most know for the teenage kicks track- or a US take on the Buzzcocks. This has that same bouncing carefree and memorable edge; later tracks see them adding in saxophone, funky guitar playing and other a few other elements- sounding a bit like a rough around the edges Talking heads. The second disk offers up 29 tracks from four live shows going from 1980 to 1996 and as expected the tracks are more shambolic and energy filled, all the recordings are fairly good and nicely mixed for live punk. It also highlights the more playful and humours side of there work- I guess it’s a pity that an live video couldn’t have been added to the set. An enjoyable collection of tuneful, fun & real Punk, and of course a welcome introduction to world of The eat, whom I’m sure many wont be aware of . Roger Batty
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