Tuesday, May 6, 2008

The Hitmen - Torn Together

The Hitmen's second album, Torn Together (1981), is a big step forward from the first. The songwriting is more distinctive, the arrangements are more imaginative, and the production is a lot punchier (courtesy of Rhett Davies this time). The album's best song, the opener "Bates Motel," was actually written by the drummer, Mike Gaffey, one of three songs that he wrote or co-wrote. There's an excellent fan review of Torn Together here. This would be the last release from The Hitmen; get it here or here. Ben Watkins would appear as a guest vocalist on guitarist Pete Glenister's next project, Gates by the studio concoction "New Asia" (1982). That postpunk masterpiece is available on Mutant Sounds.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

The saviour comes thru again!!! This has been my holy grail for many years and now I finally have a copy. Thanx so much for this, I really do appreciate it. Can't wait to listen to it again after all these years.

Fantod said...

[Blush]

Tracy said...

You've just made me a very happy person! I had both Hitmen albums back in my high school days, but they both disappeared after a few moves around the country. Now I have them both again, and I'm practically squeeing for joy! Thank you SO much!

--Tracy

Fantod said...

You're welcome! I've found many a long-lost record on the blogs, I am glad to help others find theirs too.

Tracy said...

I still have a few that I'm searching for, but you know, part of the fun of finally getting them is searching and getting turned on to lots of other great music I might never have otherwise heard. I have some pretty obscure 80s stuff -- let me know if there's anything you're looking for! I don't have a blog here, but I can always upload music and email you the link.

--Tracy

Anonymous said...

Once again, "thank you" isn't strong enough, but it will have to do.

Even though I own both Hitmen LPs, I have no way of listening to them, except on a creaky cassette. LP-to-CD services ain't cheap, either.

Thanks again!

Apollo Zero Jukebox said...

Hey!
Any chance of reupping this album? Links don't work. Aim for the feet is still there.

Fantod said...

New links:
HF
MU

apollo zero said...

Thanks for uploading again.

Anonymous said...

Those links are broken again, could you please upload them one more time? Thanks!

Fantod said...

That MU link above still looks valid, but in case it's not, here are a couple new ones:

MF
FS

Anonymous said...

Thanks Fantod. These sound great! I've got the 4 song promo EP (which I love, won it in the early 80's in a dance contest) and this is more of the same great post punk stuff. It's got an Elvis Costello / Joe Jackson vibe. Really wonderful, thanks again!

StevenSin said...

An 80s treasure! Thanks for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

I'm late to the party. Any way you can renew the links?

I've been trying to get a copy of Torn Together for years.

Just came across this thread and the links don't work.

Thanks!

yuria said...

I'd love to hear it but the links are broken...
Do you maybe happen to have a copy of their "Ouija"?

djbethell said...

Just discovering this wonderful band. Thanks for the heads-up. Any chance you could repost working links please? x