Band: CARTER THE UNSTOPPABLE SEX MACHINE
The synth/guitar indie punk duo – Jim “Jim Bob” Morrison and guitarist Les “Fruitbat” Carter – shortened their name later to CARTER USM Active: 1987–1998, 2007–2014 / 6 LPS
Anniversary album: 1992: THE LOVE ALBUM Released: 4 May 1992 – 30 years ago today Score: #1 in the UK
AllMusic wrote: “What turned out to be Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine’s
shortest album, at a mere 36 minutes, was also its most commercially successful,
confirming the band as a massive draw… The European Union flag providing the
cover and title refers to the then-groundbreaking fusion of governments and policies
in the continent, but Carter’s appropriately sharp dedication, “to our friends
in ‘Yugoslavia’,” as that conflict spiralled out of control, shows where the album’s
questioning mindset was aimed.” Score 4,5/5.
Turn Up The Volume: Without a shadow of a doubt, their standout album.
An absolute powerhouse stunner, boiling from start to finish, with glorious
stories/lyrics. ACE. Btw, live Carter USM was a blast too, as I experienced
a couple of times.
Singles/clips: The Only Living Boy In New Cross / Do Re Me, So Far So Good /
Suppose You Gave A Funeral And Nobody Came
– THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW CROSS –
– DO RE ME, SO FAR SO GOOD –
– SUPPOSE YOU GIVE A FUNERAL AND NOBODY CAME –
(Not a single, but it should have been.
Brilliant title, brilliant tune)
Band: CARTER THE UNSTOPPABLE SEX MACHINE (UK) Who: Indie punk duo featuring Jim “Jim Bob” Morrison
and guitarist Les “Fruitbat” Carter. Active: 1987–1998, 2007–2014
AllMusic/NedRaggett: “Arguably, nothing really changed from 101 Damnations to 30 Something; the Carter formula was already well-established, so the duo just kept right at it.
The difference lies in — whisper it — a growing sophistication that fleshed out both sound and lyrics. That may seem deeply bemusing to those who will note the typical Carter trappings still running rampant: puns explode everywhere without restraint, musical and lyrical references creep in from the Clash and David Bowie to traditional football chants, and so forth.”
Full review here. Score: 4/5.
Turn Up The Volume says: Totally wacko, totally fun.
Singles: Anytime Anyplace Anywhere / Bloodpsort For All
