THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE

I picked this record up used in the 48 Cent Bin when I was 14 years old and it immediately became glued to my turntable. Hard as nails sensibilities delivered with technical mastery. Strings sections too often sound pretentious with heavy guitar riffs, but it's how CITY BOY handle that juxtaposition that makes this a joy to listen to - LOUD. In addition the narrative lyrics are delivered with true passion. I've often sung friends "Interrupted Melody" and "Me and My Tarot" from "Ambission" (the part that starts "Unfamiliar doorway, crazy figures on the floor..." and gotten chills down my spine and the spines of my audience. The pounding sendoff to "Interupted Melody" once drove a girlfriend to tears. Some of their other albums lack the well honed edge of this one - Book Early, Young Men Out West, et cetera, but this is permanently in my Ten Top Albums of All Time, along with the self titled album by early 70s act STARK NAKED, and 1984's release by SOVIET SEX on IRS Records. I have 3 copies of "The Day The Earth Caught Fire" just in case one wears out. And that's coming from the singer of a hardcore thrash band.