The Remains

The Remains are, of course, well known to the garage community for their fine, electric piano-driven hit, "Don't Look Back", but there is far more to this group. This CD is essentially the same line-up as the vinyl album collection that I've had since the 80's, but it's nice to have in this format.

These cats were Boston heroes - and deservedly so - and managed to secure the opening slot for the Beatles famous, final 1966 American tour before, surprisingly, splitting up on the verge of their success. This CD highlights their groovy rock'n'roll mixed with hip harmonies and white-soul sounds. While Barry Tashian was the undisputed leader of the group (vocals and guitar), Bill Briggs keyboards (often the electric piano) really drives the tunes, and the dynamic rhythm section of Vern Miller on bass and Chip Damiani propels the band.

The styles vary from the bluesy "Diddy Wah Diddy" to the harmony-driven "Why Do I Cry" and "Lonely Weekend" to the more rockin' "You Got a Hard Time Coming" and the heavy garage of "Once Before", that the Unclaimed would cover in the 80's. Even the slower songs like "Thank You" are still so well done that you'll be knocked out by the writing and execution.

The CD is the complete original album along with ten bonus tracks of non-LP B-sides and outtakes - all that are just as good as the ones that made the cut. Their take on "Mercy Mercy" and "I'm Talking About You" are at least as good as the Stones, "My Babe" shows more of their blues roots (with Briggs' harmonica work), "I Can't Get Away From You" is more cool harmony rock, "Ain't That Her" and "All Good Things" are right up there with their best, and the rest rock along in their unique way.

This is pretty much the perfect cross between the Beatles and the Stones - done by Americans, no less - great harmonies and hard rock blended together. If not for their unfortuitous break-up, the Remains would be rock'n'roll icons.