Consumer Guide Album

Dave Edmunds: The Best of Dave Edmunds [Swan Song, 1981]
Ignoring his slower and more eccentric moments for the nonstop energy punks misprise from rockabilly, with bullheaded recent covers of "The Race Is On" and "Singing the Blues" decelerating into upper midtempo for respite, this compilation defines Edmunds as a trouble boy. Actually, if you'll listen to "Trouble Boys" for two minutes you'll learn that Edmunds is scared shitless of trouble boys--as were, I'll bet, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, the Everly Brothers, and Elvis himself. But if you'd rather leave his quirks to critics and his mama, you can just, well, rock on. A−