Leatherface - Mush LP - Bootleg

Leatherface - Mush LP - Bootleg, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.

Bootleg (2013)

I'm certainly not a big proponent of bootlegs. I don't like seeing other people profiting when the band gets nothing. It's pretty unfair really. That being said, I have been known to pick up the occasional bootleg for bands that I am a gigantic collector of, for completist purposes. Leatherface is a band that fits this bill.

I'd like to start off talking about the album itself because in my mind it is simply a work of art. It is one of my top 3 albums of all time. It's a record that I just can't live without. Mush starts off with the absolute best side 1, track 1 in history "I Want The Moon." Frankie Stubbs pairs gravely vocals with incredibly dynamic guitar interplay with co-conspirator Dickie Hammond. It's the stuff of legend. This continues over the course of the record with classic songs after classic song.

From the fast paced juggernaut "How Lonely" to the slightly more somber "Not Superstitious" to the reflective "Springtime" to the song that I feel lyrically encapsulates the feeling of love better than any I've ever heard "Not A Day Goes By." There is simply not a bad song on this record. Honestly, there's not even a good song on this record, every track is just perfection. I can't even begin to put into words how important this record is to me. If you read this website and you have not heard Mush, you really owe it to yourself to check it out. I'm not saying buy this bootleg, but you need to hear this album.

Now let's talk about this specific pressing. If you are ever concerned that someone is trying to pass this off as an original, there are 2 tell tale signs that will easily distinguish it from an original. First is there is no Roughneck Records logo on the back. 2nd is the lyric sheet. On the original pressing the lyrics are printed on the inner sleeve that holds the vinyl. This bootleg has them as a separate insert. But kudos to the bootleggers for even bothering to include them.

Sound wise, I put this record on the turntable and was very impressed. Everything sounded pretty good to me. Good tone, not too muddy and the vocals were nice and clear. However, when I was finished I put on my original pressing for a comparison and the difference was very noticeable. The original pressing is louder, sharper and just brighter in general. It's clear as day which is an original and which is a copy. This bootleg may suffice if you just really want to listen to the record on vinyl, but if you truly care about the sound and the experience of listening to this the way it was meant to be heard, it's really worth tracking down an original.

Still, I'm sure I'll throw this bootleg on from time to time. It saves me wear and tear on my original, which remains very expensive to replace. If you need this record on the cheap, the bootleg is a good placeholder.

Leatherface - I Want The Moon:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eXS1NI6Q6Y

Leatherface - Springtime:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQOwepObvg4

Leatherface - Not Superstitious:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wvm674i-YU