It took 40 years, but here’s that fantastic 21-song (!) debut LP that fans of a truly great 1980s L.A. group hoped for in vein—including 13 previously unheard. The Question only released a pair of hard to find 7” singles—plus hot tracks on an incredible scene compilation, 1983’s The Warfrat Tales.
So their impact was blunted beyond California’s borders. But the mod-garage-punk-R&B/soul rockers stood alone. They weren’t as retro as Paisley Underground contemporaries, but like their friends The Last, were able to throw multiple ’60s styles in a blender then rip like a post-punk act. So on Much!, the hits just keep on coming, beyond the original eight songs remixed/remastered/improved by Ron Manus.. Tony Rugolo (son of 1940s Stan Kenton’s jazz composer Pete Rugolo) was the star frontman guitarist/bassist/songwriter; his chord changes and hooks flow so continuously, it makes this long collection stand up, while drummer David White and (post-Warfrat era) guitarist Phillip Cusimano pin the expressiveness perfectly.
Furthermore, having seen them at L.A.’s Roxy with horn players, hearing that mod-soul side again is superb. After finishing off older tunes tracked decades ago (on tapes original producer, The Last’s Vitus Mataré preserved), the trio have amazingly been doing reunion shows. Much! then, completes the great news: an incredible “lost album” found. Not to be missed!
Jack Rabid @ The Big Takeover
