Tripping Through the Past

LEATHERFACE
The Last
(BYO)
Acclaimed as one of the best albums of the 90s by Big Takeover's Jack Rabid, The Last, by Sunderland, England's Leatherface, never saw U.S. release in its original form. Released in 1993 just as the quartet disintegrated, the record contained only eight songs (if the crooner goof "Ba Ba Ba Ba Boo" can be considered a song), but they were among the band's best. Following a similar trajectory as Hüsker Dü, Leatherface had evolved from its hardcore roots into an emotional rock/punk/pop powerhouse, and songs like "Little White God," "Daylight Comes" and the piano-based "Shipyards" show leader Frankie Stubbs firmly entrenching himself in the postpunk songwriter's hall of fame. Their late bassist Andy Crighton also shines with "Winsome Losesome," a raucous return to the band's thrash roots. Though not quite the masterpiece their 1991 breakthrough Mush was—Stubbs may have been at his writing peak but his chainsaw voice had been pushed beyond its limits—The Last shows that Leatherface split just as they were hitting their stride. Fortunately the band picked up where it left off when it reunited a couple of years ago (see their reunion LP Horsebox).

BYO has generously expanded the original album by adding the eight songs Stubbs recorded with his post-Leatherface trio Pope. Unsurprisingly, the sound is Leatherface in all but name: distorted guitars, moody hooks, punk propulsion and Stubbs' unique singing. If only BYO had shown the same generosity toward the ludicrously skimpy liner notes, this package would be perfect. As it is, it's simply essential for fans of emotion-drenched postpunk. Michael Toland

For fans of: Hüsker Dü, China Drum, Idlewild

THE O'JAYS
The Ultimate O'Jays
(Epic/Legacy)
Some might argue that a collection that ignores this long-running soul train's 60s and 80s work isn't complete, but as The Ultimate O'Jays presents pristinely recorded tracks from their prime in the 70s, it well deserves the superlative. The O'Jays were the political arm of the Philadelphia International label, and if the lyrics sound more than a bit simplistic in these complicated times, that doesn't make the basic sentiments of "992 Arguments" (the great lost O'Jays track), "For the Love of Money" or the all-time classic "Back Stabbers" any less valid or the songs any less great. The O'Jays could silkily wrap their pipes around a good love songs as well, and while that side of the group is perhaps a bit underrepresented here, "Let Me Make Love to You" and the gorgeous "Sunshine" should be quite enough to inspire some hot lovin'. The band and its producers knew how to lighten up once in a while as well, and "Livin' For the Weekend," "Love Train" and "I Love Music" joyfully conjure up the proper celebratory spirit. Frontman Eddie Levert isn't necessarily one of the great soul men, but when backed up by the Philly Int'l's lush soul/funk/disco groove machine MFSB he makes music that easily equals any classic R&B you'd care to name. No black music collection can be considered complete without The Ultimate O'Jays. Michael Toland

For fans of: Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Spinners