Now that the Strokes and the White Stripes have made it ok to like garage rock again, it's only fair to give some kudos to one of the bands who kickstarted the genre in the first place. Formed in the mid-70s by the neo-gothic duo of Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, the Cramps were New York's trash-punk alternative to the more sophisticated New Wave pop of Blondie. They were kitsch, wild and often downright weird - and on the evidence of this comeback album, they haven't changed a bit. Fiends Of Dope Island is an absolute riot, a hilariously juvenile blend of howling vocals, drug-addled psychedelia and primitive rock'n'roll, all done in the worst possible taste. It's not the sort of album you'd want to hear every day, mind you - but as a antidote to boyband warbling and indie pretentiousness, it's hard to beat. If the Addams Family decided to form a band, this is exactly what they'd sound like - and really, can there be any higher compliment than that?

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