Last Crack: Burning Time (remaster)

1991, was a cool year -where were you? I can tell you one thing, I wasn't listening to the Mid-West's own, Last Crack. Why? Because I had never heard of them, that's why! Enter Metal Mind Productions re-release of Last Crack's 2nd full CD Burning Time. This was originally released on Roadrunner Records in 1991 and man; I wish I had heard this record back then! It is a true "Underground Classic".

Burning Time features 15 tracks in all, including 2 bonus live tracks, and is very simply brilliant. Produced by the famed Dave Jerden, Burning Time is a great sounding record. Last Crack seamlessly blends a few different styles and reminds me of a mixture of vintage Alice in Chains, King's X, Galactic Cowboys, Armored Saint, and even a little U2. Superbly technical while being straight ahead and in your face. The drive of AIC's Facelift, with the complexity of King's X's, Out Of The Silent Planet era. The vocalist, simply known as Buddo, delivers a great performance. Vocals delivered with passion and power, what happened to those days?! Imagine if you will, a combo of Layne Staley and John Bush. Nice! How did I not hear of Last Crack, "back in the day"? I dunno.

Last Crack do have a Proggi-ness to them, but the songs are much more concise and to the point. This is where the King's X reference comes into play. Straight ahead, but not. A great example is in the masterpiece, "Energy Mind". Off time and piercing, guitarists Paul Schluter & Don Bakken, and drummer Paul Buerstatte, simply make this tune. "Love, Craig" is another example of Last Crack's power. A brooding song that is very reminiscent of the time. Dave Jerden, who also produced Alice In Chains' debut record, was able to give Burning Time that same dark trait as AIC's amazing Facelift. Jerden was able to manufacture some glorious guitar tones throughout this record. The clean guitar tones throughout the CD reminds guitar fans of early Queensryche or even David Gilmour, as the guitar is the driving force behind this great band, and Jerden made sure that the guitars were upfront and center.

Unfortunately, Last Crack didn't find overwhelming commercial success with Burning Time, but anyone looking for a true forgotten classic, this is for you! Although released 16 years ago, it sounds fresh and more current than a lot of what is happening today. It has survived the test of time and shows no signs of being "dated". And with only a couple of the dreaded "filler tracks", Last Crack made a great record that I can only wish that I had found out about back in '91. Mid-Westerners' should be proud to call Last Crack one of their own. This is a re-release that should be checked out. I for one am glad to have found it, if only 16 years late.

Track Listing

1. Wicked Sandbox
2. Mini Toboggan
3. Energy Mind
4. My Burning Time
5. Precious Human Stress
6. Love, Craig
7. Kiss A The Cold
8. Love Or Surrender
9. Mack Bolasses
10. Blue Fly, Fish Sky
11. Papa Mugaya
12. Dirt Messiah
13. Oooh
14. Energy Mind (Bonus Track-Live)
15. Mack Bolasses (Bonus Track-Live)

Added: July 15th 2007
Reviewer: Butch Jones
Score:
Related Link: Last Crack Website
Hits: 5115
Language: english

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