Even though this column is called, well, you know… there are in fact many, many disco albums in our local record store bargain crates. I’m thinking, based just on anecdotal evidence, this stems from the late-70s/early 80s being the high-point of LPs and a time period that many – musically – want to move on from. Like an island of misfit toys, or even perfectly fine toys… so many albums, artists, and entire musical genres beloved at that time were discarded, forgotten, or violently attacked just half a decade past their near-universal belovedness.
Unburdened by the hang-ups or cringe or oversaturation felt by those in the late Carter/early Reagan times, we can find some gold amongst the pyrite. Or at least we can shine up the pyrite and enjoy it on its own merits. Sometimes, however, a bargain crate has a recent quality piece that for whatever reason ended up in the right place at the right time (for us crate diggers, anyway). Such was the case on a chilly (post-Hilly) day at Bainbridge Island’s Back Street Beat. The bargain bin – like the store’s other music and books, well-curated and organized – had this 2022 work, Odds and Ends by Warrior Soul, still in its plastic, for only $5. Luciano, the record seller, told me how this Record Store Day release from 2022 found its way into the crate. Right now I can’t remember the details, but I trust it wasn’t random.
As always, in the interest of keeping this column as analog as possible, I didn’t look up Warrior Soul – sorry if you are already aware and I’m late to this party – but from the album sleeve I see that this was recorded at “various times, places, and points in Warrior Soul history.” Based on hair, clothing and photo composition, I’m guessing they were around since at least early 90s, up to early 2000s, maybe later. They’re also described on the back cover as the band who “Fought Amercan[sic?], fought the business…and ultimately lost.”
What’s not to love, especially for $5?
Side one confirmed, I think, my time period deduction was correct…a little GNR, a little more Jane’s Addiction, so maybe they were a Southern California band (although NYC Girl is the first song)? Titles also were short and simple – 5 Ways to the Gutter, Last Decade Dead Century (ah, yes, the 90s, confirmed) and If You Think Your [sic] Bad – reminded me of a Social Distortion in that way. Side two started off with something very different, the song My Sky. Not sure how to describe that one, but a standalone, at least on this album. These are ‘Odds and Ends,’ so perhaps none of these is representative of Warrior Soul’s oeuvre. After this writing, I’ll try and find out more about them.* You could too, unless you know that already. And if so no worries…while this album has found a forever home in my living room, BSB has plenty more like it, in their own way. Mostly they ain’t disco.
Enjoy. // J. OVERTON
*For my old DoD (yes, I still say DEFENSE) colleagues, even withouth research, I’m sure they have nothing to do with a Warrior Ethos, so everyone just calm the fuck down.
