Sordid Selection by The Escalatorz: A Raw Rock Gem from 1984
Alright, let’s talk about Sordid Selection, the kinda forgotten but totally rad debut album by The Escalatorz. Released way back in '84, this German rock outfit brought some serious Power Pop and Alternative Rock vibes to the table. And guess what? It’s all thanks to one dude—H.P. Daniels. He wrote it, composed it, produced it—you name it, he did it. Talk about wearing multiple hats!
This isn’t your polished, overproduced stadium rock nonsense. Nope. This is raw, unfiltered energy that feels like someone just hit record while these guys jammed in a basement somewhere. It’s rough around the edges, but that’s exactly why it sticks with you.
Now, I gotta say something about two tracks that really stuck in my brain. First up, “Depression.” Man, this song hits different. It’s not just moody for the sake of being moody—it’s got this gritty guitar riff that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. H.P.’s vocals are kinda snarly, like he’s pissed off at the world but also kinda laughing at it. There’s no fancy production tricks here; it’s straight-up honest, and honestly? That’s refreshing as hell.
Then there’s “You Can’t Stop Me,” which might as well be their battle cry. The opening chords slap you awake, and before you know it, you’re air-guitaring in your kitchen like a total dork. What gets me is how catchy it is without trying too hard. It’s rebellious but not in an angsty teenager kind of way—it’s more like, “Yeah, life sucks sometimes, but screw it, we’re gonna keep going anyway.” You feel me?
One thing that stands out about this album is how simple yet effective everything feels. No panic (heh, see what I did there?), no overthinking—just solid tunes played with heart. Sure, it’s not perfect. Sometimes the mix sounds a little off, and yeah, maybe the lyrics aren’t gonna win any poetry awards, but who cares? It’s real, and that’s rare.
Here’s the kicker though: this whole thing was self-released under "Not On Label." Like, imagine dropping an album in the '80s without some bigwig label backing you. Ballsy move, right? Makes you wonder how many other hidden gems from back then are floating around, waiting to be rediscovered.
So yeah, if you’re into music that’s got character rather than cookie-cutter perfection, give Sordid Selection a spin. Just don’t expect anything flashy—it’s more of a slow burn. Oh, and hey, fun fact: listening to this makes me wanna dig out my old leather jacket and pretend I’m in a band. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, but whatever. Rock on.
