I’m sure a lot of Amplifier readers lived the experience that was (and soon will be again; they’re doing a reunion tour in 2011) Government Cheese. Those of you who followed them and saw their live shows between ‘85 and ’95 will probably be hearing this record from a different perspective than I. And I’m sure many of you already have it and are playing it to death. But this review will be from the perspective of someone who had heard of Government Cheese back in the day, but was never exposed to all that they had to offer. I’m also sure I saw the “Face to Face” video on MTV back in 1988 too. I’ve never seen them live.

First off, the CD comes in a really nice package. There are nice photos of the band back in the day, and they were taken at various locations while the band was both here in Bowling Green (like at Picasso’s) as well as shots from the road (like in front of CBGB’s in New York City). The liner notes were written by Tommy Womack, who is also the producer of this reissue. They explain some of the context of the songs, and that should appeal to both the established fan as well as someone giving the band a first listen. And the centerfold is a classic shot of Skot Willis mid-air in one of his signature jumps. The bottom line is that, as a collectable, you will not go wrong with this package. I should mention this is a two-CD, 43-track, digitally remastered disc set, so you will get your money’s worth.

So what about the material? Well, it is an anthology, so all the classics are there. And that means the listener is going to get a good taste of the band members’ experiences in their home territory, South Central Kentucky. Songs like “Kentucky Home” and “Underneath the Water Tower” cover that perspective well. The band also liked the punkish Jim Carroll (and so do I), and their versions of “People Who Died” and “It’s Too Late” capture that spirit well. Some of my other favorites are “The Shrubbery’s Dead” (chronicling that tragedy of alcoholism), “A Little Bit of Sex” (with some nice wah wah work), and “Selling Out” (about the challenges of life on the road and not making it big). As a matter of fact, you will get a lot of autobiographical perspective as you listen to several of the tunes on this CD.

As for styles, the first thing you notice is the unmistakable influence of punk. This was a high-energy band, and so is the CD. But there’s so much more. You will hear the influence of a thousand bands in this music. I hear some Bryan Adams in “Kentucky Home”, some borrowing from Joe Walsh in “Mammaw Drives the Bus” and Iron Butterfly in “Before the Battered”, and there’s some Ramones in the mix too. Throw in some Southern rock and pop and you’ve got the varied sounds of Government Cheese. There are even a few slow ones on here too. Another thing I usually look for is some previously unreleased material, and that’s covered too. Some of this is alternate versions of released material as well as truly unreleased stuff. Overall, this is a very listenable recording.

So could anything have been done a little better? As a newbie, I would have liked a little more detail in the liner notes about who was playing what and doing the vocals on each song. There’s some cross referencing info regarding which original album some of the songs came from, but there could have been more, just in case you wanted to get them too. Other than that, I think you’ll find it to be a pretty complete package that would make a great gift for the Cheese fan, as well as the curious newcomer. And that would for sure include South Central Kentucky music fans who just weren’t here in the band’s heyday. It’s an excellent chronicling of one of the area’s most beloved rock bands. You can purchase the CD at Great Escapes Records and Comics in Bowling Green as well as at www.tommywomack.com. Check it out soon. And look for the reunion tour – your chance to see and hear them do it all again.         

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman