Beat Group Electrique

Personnel: Wreckless Eric (vocals, guitar, organ, electric organ); André Barreau (vocals, xylophone, bass guitar, background vocals); Catfish Truton (drum set, maracas).
Recording information: Shabby Road, London.
Photographer: Lo De Bodinat.
This overlooked comeback effort was an unheralded triumph for Eric, on which he fronted a guitar-bass-drums trio (he also plays his usual cheesy organ) on a stripped-down set of strong songs with a live production feel. With his strangled, yearning vocals, basic melodic hooks, and songs about messed-up relationships, Wreckless recalls some of Lou Reed and Syd Barrett's better solo work as he makes his confusion a cause for infectious celebration instead of gloomy moping. ~ Richie Unterberger