The following review was taken from an advance copy of the first ever release from Marco Pirroni's new label, Only Lovers Left Alive. It's a 20 track compilation of cuts that featured on the jukebox of Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren's SEX shop in London during the mid 1970's.

The release is called SEX : TOO FAST TO LIVE TOO YOUNG TO DIE and was released on Sept 16th 2003, on Only Lovers Left Alive, cat no: OLLA 001.

(A 6-track promo CD was mailed with this, the running order of which are tracks 1, 5, 10, 16, 14, and 20. The catalogue number is identical to the main release.)

The release was voted the #11 compilation CD of 2003 by UK music mag, NME.

Carty

1. Count Five - PSYCHOTIC REACTION [3:00]

1966
b/w: They're Gonna Get You
CAT No. : Double Shot 104
What a great opener! There's a bit of everything in this one. Watch out for the instrumental section after he sings, "...and it feels like this...". A definite 60's vibe to this. The superb lyrics give this a fitting title.
Carty Rating: 9

2. The Creation - THROUGH MY EYES [3:03]

1967
b/w: Life Is Just The Beginning
CAT No. : Polydor 56207
Featuring Kenny Picket on vocals and the amazing Eddie Phillips on lead guitar (who was replaced by Ronnie Wood in 1968). Phillips was famous for being the first guitarist to use a violin bow. The Creation shared the same producer as The Who - Shel Talmy. From the album "The Creation - Our Music Is Red With Purple Flashes" - DIAB857.
Carty Rating: 6

3. Clarence 'Frogman' Henry - AIN'T GOT NO HOME [2:19]

1957
b/w: ??
CAT No. : ??
This was initially called "The Frog Song" and was written in 1956 after a late gig at the Joy Lounge. In 1964 he toured with The Beatles. This is a re-recording of his (damn hard to find) original. Hilarious! The "Ooh-ooh" section reminds this reviewer of a T.Rex song. It's not that easy to sing like a frog...but a little practice helps!
Carty Rating: 10

4. Flamin' Grooves - SHAKE SOME ACTION [4:30]

1976
b/w: Teenage Confidential
CAT No. : Sire 6078 602
Produced by Welsh rocker Dave Edmunds at around the same time he was at #1 with "I Hear You Knockin'." The wonderfully smooth guitars on this make it feel more recent than '76.
Carty Rating: 8

5. The Spades - YOU'RE GONNA MISS ME [3:22]

1964
b/w: We Sell Soul (See track 18)
CAT No. : Contact Zero I0002
Written by Roky Erickson. In fact, on this release they were known as Roky Erickson & The Spades. This cut was also recorded by the 13th Floor Elevators, which also featured Erickson. Great guitar and drums sections to be savoured on this. The flip, "We Sell Soul," also received heavy rotation on the SEX jukebox and appears on this compilation too. I seem to be thinking of Chelsea's "The Right To Work" each time I listen.
Carty Rating: 8

6. The Castaways - LIAR LIAR [1:49]

1965
b/w: Sam
CAT No. : Soma 1433
This has plenty of colourful 60's charm. "Cohesive and fun" (Lord knows what 3TA meant by "cohesive", LOL). Backed by cool drums, there's a slight Doors feel to this. Personally, I love the neat snippet of a mini-sized bass line in the middle. (I feel a sample coming on...)
Carty Rating: 9

7. The Strangeloves - IN THE NIGHTTIME [2:27]

1965/66
b/w: ??
CAT No. : ??
A marvelous swinging busy beat helped along with a rhythmic piano. Covered by The Datsuns and Bauhaus. (This was called just "Nighttime" when initially released.) That piano introduction is worthy of yet another sampling...down with the copyright laws!
Carty Rating: 6

8. Vince Taylor - BRAND NEW CADILLAC [2:33]

1959
b/w: Pledging My Love
CAT No. : Parlophone Odeon R4539
Both The Clash and the UK Subs have had bashes at this, but that didn't stop me smiling when 3TA started singing "Batman" to the intro. (She's talented like that.) Remarkably refreshing for a song almost 45 years old. Meanwhile, back in the Bat Cave, this was initially credited to "Vince Taylor and The Playboys." (2 points deducted!)
Carty Rating: 8

9. Arthur Alexander - YOU BETTER MOVE ON [2:40]

1962
b/w: A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues
CAT No. : DOT 16309
In depth research has shown that The Rolling Stones and Randy Newman have covered this, but Alexander sounds very much like The Drifters here. (They covered him with a different song.) A cross between "Save The Last Dance For Me" and "Under The Boardwalk."
Carty Rating: 7

10. Alice Cooper - EIGHTEEN [2:51]

1971
b/w: ??
CAT No. : ??
Correction...this is actually called "I'm Eighteen," but I'm just a picky sod. At last, some stereo! Just one year before "School's Out" hit the top. He still sounds this good today. It's a little known fact that Prince William sang this on his 18th birthday. Marco Pirroni can be heard on guitar (not!).
Carty Rating: 7

11. The Moontrekkers - NIGHT OF THE VAMPIRE [2:48]

1961
b/w: Melodie D'amour
CAT No. : Parlophone R4814
Another one of the many Joe Meek creations (find out for yourself). These guys were initially known as The Raiders with a certain Rod Stewart on vocals...that's until he got the boot one year later in 1968. I wonder if that's why this is an instrumental. This is how the Shadows should have sounded. This was banned by the BBC due to its horror sound effects, but at least Radio Luxembourg supported it! Let's here it for "The Great 208, The Mighty 1440!"
Carty Rating: 6