THE CRAMPS 1986. «Psychedelic Jungle ⁄ Gravest Hits» (US 1992 I.R.S. ⁄ A&M Records, Inc. · CD 70058)

Combining what is arguably the band's finest full-length album with their debut collection of covers, Psychedelic Jungle/Gravest Hits offers up a substantial dose of the Cramps' punk-strained mix of rockabilly music and '50s horror flick aesthetics. Lux Interior's ghoulishly manic vocals, Poison Ivy's treble-heavy guitar distortion, and Knick Knox's tribal beat are all ideally showcased on such Cramps classics as "Goo Goo Muck," "Primitive," "Green Door," and "The Crusher." While these are all fine covers, originals such as "Caveman," "Can't Find My Mind," and "Beautiful Garden" demonstrate the Cramps could take their rockabilly roots to fetchingly Gothic extremes. Adding to the riches from Psychedelic Jungle, the five-song EP, Gravest Hits, features inimitable versions of the Trashmen's "Surfin' Bird," Roy Orbison's early rockabilly side "Domino," and the Ricky Nelson hit "Lonesome Town." With quality roundups hard to come by, Cramps fans would do well to pick this two-fer of the band's prime early material.