Artist: The Bellrays

Title: Raw Collection

Label: Upper Cut

Website: www.thebellrays.com

Writer: Doug Simpson

California’s very own punk soulsters The Bellrays have done it again. This album finally brings together singles, compilation tracks, and other various out of print items from 1995 to 2002, giving novices an awesome overview of the band’s evolution from soul infused punk to its current Stooges-like meltdown style. Oh yeah, despite the fact this is an odds and ends collection, all of the material kicks major ass.

The Bellrays are influenced by the Motor City madness. But unlike others, the Bellrays don’t worship The White Stripes and similar contemporary Michigan mobs. No, we’re talking different eras here.

Opener "You’re Sorry Now" sounds like a lost Sixties soul classic ramped up and ready to burn rubber. Lisa Kekaula’s fervent vocals evoke Aretha Franklin fronting the MC5. That’s quickly followed by a take no prisoners cover of Australian proto-punk’s The Saints’ masterpiece "Nights In Venice," propelled by the imposing rhythms of bassist Bob Vennum and drummer Ray Chin (since replaced), and Tony Fate’s surly six-string solos.

There’s plenty of variety here that shows The Bellrays aren’t afraid of tackling pop, either. "Half A Mind" is a catchy pop punk nugget with fuzzy guitars while peppy pop gem "Mind’s Eye" slows things down and adds some gospel inspired harmony singing. On the fun "Pinball City" and "Mother Pinball" The Bellrays also prove The Who aren’t the only ones who can flail out powerhouse rockers about pinball wizards. Raw Collection is the sound of four musicians locked tight as a coiled spring, doing it their own way with full-on emotion, passion, and commitment.

Anyone not familiar with The Bellrays should also seek out Let It Blast (Vital Gesture, 1999) or Grand Fury (Vital Gesture, 2001), which more closely demonstrate The Bellrays’ popular, combustible live performances.