Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction — Tattooed Beat Messiah

Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction -- Tattooed Beat Messiah

• Artist: Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction
• Title: Tattooed Beat Messiah
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Got the domestic from our store RIP Records, and the UK from Venus Records, both in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

Oh man, how I used to love this Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction stuff. Even when it was new I thought it was completely silly, but fun and rocking when little else was. We saw them once, at what Mary and I still call the old 9:30 Club (Wikipedia) in D.C. The old one on F Street was a lot smaller, but super fun. I think it moved in the mid-1990s. Anyhow, the show rocked and they seemed to have fun mocking the rockstar thing.

This ain’t really doing it for me now. “Tattooed Beat Messiah” was the first full LP, and on major labels in the US and UK. I have both versions. They’re mostly the same except for some minor typographical differences on the back cover. The UK version also came with a large poster and liner notes. By the time this record came out I think most of the really entertaining songs had already been released in whatever version on EPs and 12 inch singles. And the same ol’ sleazy lyrics–big riffs and solos–horn section schtick gets pretty tired over the course of full length album.