The Blasters: "The Blasters" (1981/2026) CD Review

Record Store Day is almost here, and if you've perused the list as I have, or even casually glanced at it, certainly one of the releases that has you excited is The Blasters' Rare Blasts: Studio Outtakes And Movie Music 1979-1985. If you purchased the 5-LP boxed set An American Music Story last year (I had it in my hands, but sadly couldn't afford it), then you already have it. You also have The Blasters, the band's self-titled second album, along with the other studio albums the band released in that time period. The good news is that these individual albums are being re-issued on CD too. In February, Liberation Hall put out two special re-issues, The Blasters and Hard Line. The Blasters contains some of the band's most beloved tracks, including "Border Radio," and new (at the time) recordings of "Marie Marie" and "American Music" (both of which had been on the band's first LP). This re-issue was produced by Antone DeSantis and Chris Morris, and contains liner notes by Chris Morris, who wrote the liner notes for that boxed set, and they tell the story of the band in the early 1980s. The band is made up of Phil Alvin on vocals and guitar, Dave Alvin on lead guitar, John Bazz on bass, Bill Bateman on drums, and Gene Taylor on piano. The album contains a mix of original material written by Dave Alvin and some cool covers.

The album kicks off with "Marie Marie," a totally fun, rocking number that had been included on American Music and was re-recorded for this album. What a joy it is to hear the way Phil delivers the lines, "I said, hey, pretty girl/Don't you understand/I just want to be your loving man." The early 1980s were such an interesting time for music, with things going in several different directions. The Blasters were a breath of fresh air, keeping the origins of rock and roll alive and certainly kicking. That's followed by "No Other Girl," which has more of a rockabilly sound, with a delicious bass line and some great touches on drums that snap us to attention, as well as a fantastic vocal performance. "I don't know why I do it/Spend a day at another girl's place/She'll know that when I open the door/She can see by the look on my face." And Gene's lead on piano is just the kind of thing to keep us rocking and swinging, sort of following in Jerry Lee Lewis' footsteps, rocking those keys.

The band's cover of "I'm Shakin'" is one of the album's coolest numbers, the way it struts in, the band getting some help by the presence of sax. Lee Allen and Steve Berlin both play saxophone on this album. And Phil delivers a strong vocal performance. I love the quaver in his voice on the title line, "And I'm shakin'." This song was written by Rudy Toombs, and was a hit for Little Willie John in 1960. "Early in the morning time/Late in the middle of the night/Whenever this chill comes over me/I want to hug you with all of my might/And I'm sweatin'." Oh yes, we can hear it in his voice, while the music maintains a sense of cool. Then "Border Radio" is delicious from that opening on guitar, and totally catchy. "She prays to herself that wherever he is/He's listening to the border radio/This song comes from 1962/Dedicated to a man who's gone." This music fits in with that great early rock and roll. As you are probably aware, this song inspired the 1987 film Border Radio. 

"American Music" is another lively gem. This one was also included on the band's first album, and re-recorded for this album. I love that lead on guitar. Totally delicious! Patriotism is silly, but if there is anything that should make you proud of this country, it is certainly the music. And this song provides a reminder of just how good it is, both through its lyrics and the music itself. The band keeps the energy high with "So Long Baby Goodbye." This one features some totally satisfying work on saxophone. Plus, this one features Phil Alvin delivering some good stuff on harmonica. Everything is feeling right. Then "Hollywood Bed" has a delicious New Orleans vibe, with some wonderful stuff on piano right from the start. And that beat! Go ahead, try to remain completely still while listening to this song. Good luck. This one also features some wonderful stuff on saxophone. "Lift up the shade, let's see the lights/We came this far, honey, let's see the sights/Hold me close, don't try to fight/Let's work up a sweat on a summer night/Hey, rocking in our Hollywood bed." Yeah, everything about this track is fun. And that lead on sax is kind of sexy. "Wasting our time, but it sure feels good." It sure does!

The band then gets into country with a cover of Jimmie Rodgers' "Never No More Blues" (usually listed as "Never No Mo' Blues"), with that wonderful country flavor to the music. Phil puts that into his vocal performance too, as we hear on the song's very first line, "I'm just blue as I can be." And, yeah, there is some yodeling, and he totally sells in. This is a fun rendition. It's followed by "This Is It," a great rock and roll gem. "I can tell your future/By looking at the highway sign/There's something that we'll never know/Unless we get up and go/This is it now, baby/We're going to have a time tonight/This is it, this is it." It's a song that encourages us to enjoy ourselves, enjoy our time. This is it, folks. This track features a nice lead on piano, and then an energetic lead on guitar.

The band then turns to the blues with a cover of "Highway 61," a track that contains some great stuff on harmonica and a strong vocal performance. A cool, mean sound. The band stays in the blues realm with a cover of Bo Diddley's "I Love You So." This one comes barrelling along, like a rockin' train that might have taken just a bit of some psychedelic. Most of the energy comes from Phil's vocals. "In the morning, she's all right/In the evening, she's still all right." I love the way it is building toward the end, and it seems a shame to let it fade out like that. Don't you want more? I certainly do. The album concludes with a cover of Bob Ehret's "Stop The Clock." "We've got to stop the clock, baby/I want to spend more time with you." Oh yes, I think we're all in touch with that. Time is moving much too quickly, and too much of our time is wasted by all sort of obligations and nonsense. What does any of it mean? Spend more time with the people you love, and with the music you love, because, as we already established, this is it, folks.

CD Track List

1. Marie Marie
2. No Other Girl
3. I'm Shakin'
4. Border Radio
5. American Music
6. So Long Baby Goodbye
7. Hollywood Bed
8. Never No More Blues
9. This Is It
10. Highway 61
11. I Love You So
12. Stop The Clock

This special re-issue of The Blasters was released on February 6, 2026 through Liberation Hall.