Promise Is a Promise

Lyres: Jeff Conolly (vocals, keyboards, sound effects); Jack Hickey (guitar); Matt Miklos (bass); John Smith (drums).
Includes liner notes by Pete Frame.
A Promise Is a Promise combines old, new, studio, and live material -- both original and covers -- from Boston's legendary garage rock combo. Tracks one through 12 were recorded in New York City, tracks 13 through 15 were recorded live at VPRO in Holland (before a radio audience), and track 16 was recorded live in Rennes, France. Despite the crazy quilt impression, it all hangs together surprisingly well as the performances are universally tight and energetic. Interestingly, there are two versions, both live and studio, of "She's Got Eyes That Tell Lies" by Him & the Others (there is no duplication otherwise). Other notable covers: "You'll Never Do It Baby" (the Pretty Things), "Running Through the Night" (the Mystic Tide), "Jagged Time Lapse" (John's Children, Marc Bolan's pre-T-Rex outfit), "Touch" (the Bristols) with Wally Tax, and "Witch" (the Sonics). Also worth noting: Stiv Bators (the Dead Boys) guests on the opening track, "Here's a Heart." The original Ace of Hearts CD and cassette editions drop "We Sell Soul" (from Roky Erickson's pre-Thirteenth Floor Elevators group, the Spades) and add "Jezebel" (Frankie Laine), "Go-Go-Girl" (Bolan), "Help You Ann" (from On Fyre), "Don't Give It Up Now" (from Lyres Lyres), and "Cinderella" (the Sonics). "Help You Ann" and "Don't Give It Up Now" are the only live versions that don't quite work: the former sounds rushed -- maybe they were already tired of playing it by this point -- and the latter is marred by a homophobic comment (about AIDS) from lead singer/keyboard player, Jeff "Monoman" Conolly. Thankfully, he sticks to the original lyrics for most of the rest of the live material. A Promise Is a Promise isn't the best starting point for the Lyres neophyte, but, for those who already know and love On Fyre and Lyres Lyres, it's a worthy addition to their collection. ~ Kathleen C. Fennessy