The Reclusives

The Reclusives

(Mortville)

Once every moon or so, most of us need to be emptied of the false gestures and phrasings that clog our everyday lives and keep us from realizing who we really are. If you grew up on all-ages warehouse shows and Milwaukee's Best, you'll find the Reclusives go to work on such clogs with all the vigor of a gas station chili dog. Although this under-recognized punk rock quintet had already called it a day when they recorded this 24-song vinyl slab, compelling testimony to the glory days of sweaty bodies and flying beer at the Blue Flamingo abounds in its K-Tel-sized grooves. All of the usual suspects (Stooges, Ramones, Black Flag, etc.) are handily referenced, but the Reclusives had a driving, surf-bop dynamic that works as a secret weapon on songs like "I Can't Hear You" and "Hogs of the Road." Kan Manivong and Dean Von Folmar's dueling guitars helped distinguish the band from the umpteen other one-axe punk acts of the day, while vocalist Tim Storm scored points for his rather convincing Mick Jagger turn on the band's excellent cover of the Stones' "I'd Rather Be With the Boys." It's not quite like being there, but we'll take it.