The Troggs

With its leering vocal, its goose-stepping rhythm stomping the life out of even the merest suggestion of swing, and -- oddest of all -- its naively graceful ocarina solo, "Wild Thing," from 1966, was a trash-rock classic of a decidedly wacky stripe. The Troggs' only other Top 10 hit, "Love Is All Around" (1968) was pale Brit Invasion stuff (later featured in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral) but the rest of this foursome's catalogue nearly outdistanced "Wild Thing" -- not in crude rock power, but in sheer strangeness. "I Can't Control Myself" and "Give It to Me," both banned by the BBC, were lecherous little numbers played poorly enough to achieve a primitive fascination. "Cousin Jane," a brief, breathy ballad, was downright creepy -- sort of like the perverse "Uncle Ernie" bit off the Who's Tommy. Ozzy Osbourne and other metal minds claim to be influenced by the Troggs, and you can believe it: Reg Presley was one bent nonsinger and his "vision" remains a warped one. Archeology, at 52 tracks, is almost too much of a good thing. An intriguing curio, Athens Andover teams the Troggs with members of R.E.M.

Live at Max's Kansas City is pure rock & roll power -- raw, romping versions of chestnuts such as "Walking the Dog," "Memphis," and "Satisfaction." (PAUL EVANS)

From 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide