Sacred Bones once again comes through gloriously with the unearthing of 13th Chime's "Lost Album." The download version effectively compiles these never-before released album sessions in one place (including one bonus cut that does not appear on either vinyl LP). The non-singles tracks from the lost album kill, and the album cuts that appeared as singles on the previous collection feel punchier here thanks to raw production quality.

Earlier this year, Sacred Bones released the righteous singles collection from 13th Chime, an early-'80s four-piece post-punk outfit from Suffolk County, UK. Though composed of only three singles and a handful of demos, "The Singles: 1981-83" proved to be a blistering and nightmarish ride through hell: more brutish than Joy Division, less wanky than Television, and with just a pinch of The Idiot-era Iggy Pop theatricality. Particularly impressive were drummer Richie Cook's propulsive proto-industrial beats. The only problem was, the damn thing left you wanting for a never-released, fabled "lost" full-length, to provide some narrative and context.

Well, Sacred Bones once again comes through gloriously, with the unearthing of 13th Chime's Lost Album, and yeah, it's as great as we all thought it would be. Now there is a new vinyl LP of these never-before released album sessions, and a CD (and download) compiling everything in one place (including one bonus cut, the goth-ambient nightmare "Pigs," which does not appear on either vinyl LP). The non-singles tracks from the lost album kill; "Sarah's Got a Chainsaw" pummels you with a tribal tom-tom beat that either echoes or pinches from the Exploited's "Sex and Violence," then jabs at you with switchblade guitar lines and bizarre voodoo howls and yelps. The album cuts that appeared as singles on the previous collection feel punchier here thanks to the raw, overarching production quality, like the Gang of Four-ish anthem "Radio Man," which features bassist Terry Taylor's irresistible Hacienda dance lick. Perhaps the highlight of the Lost set is the seasick punk of "House of Laughter," which flirts with conventional pop just long enough to sneak in an "ooh-ooh" and remind you that these guys aren't all gloom and darkness. This year belongs to 13th Chime and Sacred Bones; they have delivered this great band's entire recorded output, and all of it essential.

-Michael Stasiak (December 10, 2009)