Crash Coffin - Crash Coffin (1974) review

Crash Coffin - Crash Coffin (Gear Fab Records, 1874/2013)

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZEtd4Ezyco

Crash Coffin [which I’m sure is not his actual name, and slang for a fast car or hotrod of the day] recorded this self-financed, limited edition album [500 copies with individual artwork for several of the albums, as he was unable to afford proper jackets], comprised of songs and ideas liberally stolen from across the radio dial.  “Mama” is a blatant theft of Dylan’s “On The Road Again,” while “Freedom Cake” would not seem out of place on Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant,” though lifted from Lovin’ Spoonful outtakes is more likely the case ... and I haven’t even gotten to his take on Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley, proving that if you’ve got the money, and think that you have living room full of talent, then why not think you can self-finance yourself into the big-time.

This is one of those records collectors love, it fits no genre, has a limited edition and a shady backstory to make it all that much more enticing.  If I’m not mistaken, Crash Coffin is one of a variety of records that one could purchase from the back pages of Rolling Stone Magazine for one dollar plus shipping, that also came with a degree in counseling, hypnosis, and religious studies.   I’ve heard people suggest that with a bit of support from a label, this outing could have been popular ... but I think not, there is no consistent flow to the songs, nor is there a central theme or idea, merely a collection of oddball ditties, some good, most not, that fail to hang together even loosely; though to be honest, I’m glad it’s out there, seemingly passed by word of mouth with sly smiles for those with pleasantly demented minds.

While Crash Coffin never became as famous as Daniel Johnston did with his beautiful song "True Love Will Find You In The End," and his endless parade of give-away cassettes, please … grab a slice of apple pie, load on the whipped cream, and enjoy yourself.

Review made by Jenell Kesler/2015

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