Garageaholic! Psychedelic! Outsider!
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TWIST AND SHAKE — September 28, 2008 Reviewed by Beverly Patterson 
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Owned and operated by Erik Lindgren, Arf! Arf! Records, based in Middleborough, Massachusetts, holds the honor of being one of the niftiest reissue labels around. Obscure sixties garage punk and psychedelic rock may be the imprint’s main thrust, but every so often they wander outside such territories and release music that is just plain weird. For those not hip to the Arf! Arf! label, this thirty- track sampler serves as a fine overview of what they’re all about. And for those who have been supporting the record company’s cause all these years, you’re still in for a treat, as how nice it is to have such groovy tunes situated in one place. From the spit and swagger of “I Can’t See You” by The Starlites to the absolutely stupid yet utterly charming “Stinky Poodle” by Tangela Tricoli, here’s a disc that offers something for everybody. On the instrumental front, there’s the acid damaged delight of "Kaleidoscope" from Peter Pan and The Good Fairies and Erik Lindgren’s totally gorgeous version of The Edgar Winter Group’s "Frankenstein," which takes classical muzak to new and improved heights. Erik further shares his talents on “Route 28-American Kids Still Wanna Rock,” a super catchy pop rocker where his inner Rick Springfield meets Bryan Adams is revealed. Charted of shuffling rhythms, The Rising Storm’s “Love Starvation” pays loving homage to Bo Diddley, “Flyte” by The Flowerz pairs social oriented prose with the bracing bite of The Rolling Stones and The Standells, The Legends unveil a dosage of wah-wah battered guitar reflexes on “High Towers” and Changin’ Tymes travel a heavy duty psychedelic route on “Blue Music Box.” A strong Jefferson Airplane influence arises on the rebellious tones of 6 Feet Under’s “Inspiration In My Head,” The Victors turn in a loyal cover of Them’s “Little Girl” and The Litter quake and shake on “Mindbreaker.” Stacked from top to bottom with enjoyable sounds, “Garageaholic! Psychedelic! Outsider Music!” is the best greatest hits album that never was.
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