This Hong Kong trio has only this one album but their own very distinct brand of Rock n Roll. Ten years and a remaster/reissue later and Spectacles is best known for it’s highly rhythmic yet completely drum-free sound, a sound that guitarist Tom Ng has continued to pursue with his very successful duo Gong Gong Gong. Well I think Spectacles is far beyond just a rock curiosity and is more of a pivotal work than an early work. The group was quite successful and the record is clearly the result of tight chemistry and keen ears. This album is not to be missed.

Spectacles is hi-fi lo-fi music and the buzz and fuzz have immaculately recorded, particularly on the ’21 reissue which is one of my finest sounding vinyl records. I have to say it even though the liner notes (now excellently expanded for the reissue- with English lyrics!) mention it themselves- the Velvet Underground comparison is inevitable. The volume is high and the mood is low. Despite being in some ways quite minimal the tracks are catchy and packed with gorgeous solos. However there’s a more rootsy bluesy influence here as well, something the Velvets wouldn’t have allowed to creep in that is ultimately essential to The Offset sound.

I’ve still never heard anything quite like this although of course Gong Gong Gong comes to mind. These guys really cut to the heart of rock n roll in a way few groups have even tried and created a record that fans of guitar music from Lightning Hopkins to Branca simply must hear.