Some years after the initial collection, this follow-up to the first All Systems Go follows the same method as the original, right down to similar cover art, disc art, and even inlay tray track-listing style (no comments about Garth Brooks being a "puppet asshole" this time around, though). Besides a slew of B-sides from British singles taken from their "regular" albums like Scream, Dracula, Scream, any number of one-offs, contributions to split singles and compilations, and more are again assembled, an amazing 25 songs' worth of great times. If a few numbers seem too obscure, most work just fine on their own. With JC 2000 on board throughout, one or two early cuts aside, the distinct horn attack that makes Rocket such a treat is on full display. Everything from almost winsome pop -- check the downright sweet verses on the opening "Tarzan" -- to nuclear-strength guitar obliteration gets the Rocket treatment here. The recording quality generally sounds a bit better here than with the original All Systems Go, likely because of the major label cash that helped in the recording here and there, but thankfully nothing ever sounds too slick. Some all-time greats include the almost-too-explosive-to-live "UFO, UFO, UFO," piano careening amidst the groove-heavy tune with Reis in his rough-voiced crowd-inspiring glory; the energetically pissed kiss-off "Heads Are Gonna Roll"; and the frenetic Halloween-themed "I Drink Blood." A fine treat is the inclusion of a slew of cover songs, with the band touching on expected and unexpected roots alike. Bands like the Drags and the Real Kids make perfect sense in context -- even Ray Charles -- but hearing Rocket snarl through the Silver Apples' "You and I" makes for a one-of-a-kind experience. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide
P**R
Inexpensive and worth your while
For a B-sides collection, this is some pretty impressive stuff. There's definitely some gold buried in amongst the rubble here. Some great songs from the RFTC sessions with Holly Golightly on background vocals, some tracks where they tweak with the knobs for some bass-blowout or ultra-crunchy guitars, the prerequisite covers. With so many tracks, and the fact that they are all b-sides, there is some subpar filler here. But the good material is too good to miss.
R**H
RFTC is always good
RFTC is always good
A**R
Crankin' it out!- again...
I have been a RFTC fan for quite some time, but I never thought their studio albums(and I own 'em all except RFTC) caught the frenzied greatness that lies inherent in this band... that is with the exception of their All Systems Go I and II! These two albums capture, by far, RFTC's rawest energy this side of live. I think the reason why these albums really pop is that the songs don't try to neatly fit together into a neatly packaged 'album/concept' and that these two albums, being the lovely b-side comps that they are, don't get lost in over-production... ASG II contains numerous musical gems... of the ones you can listen to above, I'd highly recommend 'Tarzan', 'Bird-Man' and 'Ciao Patsy'... some other greats include the poppy 'Cheetah', the furious 'Turkish Revenge', the fantastic 'Strangehold', the rich 'Hot Heart', the cool 'I Drink Blood', the covered 'Who Needs You', etc, etc, etc...Listening to this brilliant album makes Reis' decision to put Drive Like Jehu(Now, those are GREAT albums!) on hold for RFTC a lot less baffeling... great album at a great price!
A**R
Worth your $6.62
Certainly, a lot of the stuff on here is expendable, but for the 9 or 10 songs that are great, it's an amazing deal for $6.62.If you liked the Holly Golightly appearance on "RFTC," you'll be happy with her guest vocals on four songs on this disc.Great cover of a Real Kids song. Why isn't "Tarzan" a million-seller? It's RFTC at their best.
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