Forgotten Songs of the '80s: Masters of Reality

Forgotten Songs of the ‘80s: Masters of Reality-“The Candy Song”

When the first notes of “The Candy Song” came blaring out of some speakers, one couldn’t anticipate much. But that’s where Chris Goss, Googe and the others get you.

As soon as the main groove hits you, you realize “holy shit, is this different!” Chris’ smooth, almost soulful vocals come in and you are alerted to the fact that you’re listening to one of the smoothest alterna-rock songs of the ‘80s. The groove and melody flow together in a way that seems to predict the onslaught of stoner rock.

But unfortunately, many people wouldn’t get to hear it. The self-titled debut album the track came off if was first released by Rick Rubin’s Def American label in 1988. About a year later, the Dust Brothers purchased the album and re-released it on their Delicious Vinyl label in 1990. Consequently, the album managed to sink without a trace twice.

Despite an interesting video, which is how I was first exposed to the song (thank you VH1 Classic), the band never broke through to the mainstream. Even after hiring the legendary Ginger Baker of Cream/Blind Faith fame to play and tour the album’s follow-up, 1993’s Sunrise of the Sufferbus and having a minor hit with “She Got Me (When She Got Her Dress On)” wasn’t enough. Chris still makes records from time and time and maybe one day we’ll hear another “Candy Song.”

Maybe.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=27721256

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