Angst – Mystery Spot (LP)

Angst took a calculated risk on Mystery Spot, engaging producer Vitus Mataré to help flesh out and upgrade the sound. It almost worked. Multi-tracked guitars and dynamic arrangements bring the songs into near-pop focus, with unprecedented melody, sensitivity, structure and vocal appeal, but atrocious recording quality (and/or a heinously bungled mix) buries them in a flat, muddy swamp. Pope and Risk continue to reveal themselves in emotionally resonant songs — too bad their ambitious effort was spoiled by a technicality.

With Andy Kaps replacing Hursey, Angst and Mataré continued working in the same vein on Cry for Happy, a fine-sounding (except for the drums) record that encompasses semi-acoustic countryish pop, nervous rock funk, boogie, desolate electric blues (“Motherless Child”) and straight Angst-rock with pretty harmonies. With lyrics of loneliness and joy that are as emotionally ambivalent as the album title, Cry for Happy brings Angst out into the open as never before.

Label: SST Records ‎– SST 111

Country: US

Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Plays great but has some superficial marks. Inlay included