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The Heartbreakers

L.A.M.F. (Track)

Naughty Women Love Heartbreakers: Rob Larson of punk band Naughty Women told us about his love for a Heartbreakers classic.

Heartbreakerslamf

(Track)

Rob Larson:In 1977, there weren’t a lot of albums available in the newly-coined genre of punk rock.  It’s fitting that one of the first available was from the Heartbreakers, an offshoot of one of the bands that could be thought of as pre-punk, the New York Dolls.  Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan emerged from the chaotic disintegration of the Dolls and hooked up with Richard Hell (temporarily) and later Walter Lure and Billy Rath to create the band and the album L.A.M.F.

Though you can hear elements of Thunders’ love of early rock n roll and R&B, the raw dirtiness and punchy muscularity make it a punk album.  This original release of the album was often criticized for its muddy mix, but it didn’t bother me.  The songs were so excellent.  I was already a fan of Thunders and Nolan and grew to really appreciate Lure.

The raucous opening track Born To Lose sets the tone — musically and thematically.  These dudes are not promoting anything as much as reporting — honestly reporting their New York street sleazoid junkie lifestyle without apology.  But there is heart and soul to go with the swagger.  Obviously, a quest for smack comes up in the lyrics, but there are also nods to gamblers and pirates — all the “born to lose” archetypes.

One of the most brilliant songs is It’s Not Enough — a song about aching.  “I can count on diamonds, rubies as well, oh big deal baby, I still feel like hell, It’s not enough.”  Thunders’ crying guitar solo underscores the realization that no amount of riches or fixes is going to fill that hole in your heart.

Classic.  Sleazy.  Raw.  Powerful.

Naughty Women Love Heartbreakers: Naughty Women’s album Anti-Grammys is out now via Geza X Records.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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