The Men With The Golden Guitars LP (vinyl)

The Milkshakes • Milkshakes IV – The Men With The Golden Guitars LP

Originally recorded in 1983, Milkshakes IV – The Men With The Golden Guitars is a fascinating departure from the previous albums by The Milkshakes: a completely instrumental set from the legendary Medway Garage outfit. After three albums and a string of singles featuring the vocals of Billy Childish and Mickey Hampshire, the band turned their attention to rhythm, mood and guitar-driven atmosphere, creating an album unlike anything else in their catalogue.

There are no surf-rock marathons or Shadows-style twang workouts here. Instead, tracks such as Chatham Drive, General Belgrano, Scapa Flow, The Yorkshire Ripper and Dogwatch On Monkey's Paw combine primitive Garage Rock energy with a tougher, more atmospheric instrumental approach, with the influence of Link Wray particularly evident. Thunderbird, Flatfoot, Every Corner and Shed Country '83 further demonstrate just how much character The Milkshakes could wring from a guitar-led instrumental.

This 14-track reissue also restores The Wrong Man, which had been withdrawn from previous editions. Recorded at Oakwood Studios in 1983, Milkshakes IV is a wonderfully oddball and compelling chapter in The Milkshakes' story, proving that the band could create just as much noise, attitude and personality without singing a word.

Tracklist

1. Chatham Drive
2. General Belgrano
3. Scapa Flow
4. The Wrong Man
5. The Klansmen Kometh
6. Thunderbird
7. Mumble The Peg
8. The Yorkshire Ripper
9. Flatfoot
10. Dogwatch On Monkey's Paw
11. Every Corner
12. Can You Tell?
13. Dreadnaught
14. Shed Country '83