A Promise Is a Promise combines old, new, studio, and live material -- both original and covers -- from Boston's legendary garage rock combo. Tracks one through 12 were recorded in New York City, tracks 13 through 15 were recorded live at VPRO in Holland (before a radio audience), and track 16 was recorded live in Rennes, France. Despite the crazy quilt impression, it all hangs together surprisingly well as the performances are universally tight and energetic...
,,,Interestingly, there are two versions, both live and studio, of "She's Got Eyes That Tell Lies" by Him & the Others (there is no duplication otherwise). Other notable covers: "You'll Never Do It Baby" (the Pretty Things), "Running Through the Night" (the Mystic Tide), "Jagged Time Lapse" (John's Children, Marc Bolan's pre-T-Rex outfit), "Touch" (the Bristols) with Wally Tax, and "Witch" (the Sonics). Also worth noting: Stiv Bators (the Dead Boys) guests on the opening track, "Here's a Heart." The original Ace of Hearts CD and cassette editions drop "We Sell Soul" (from Roky Erickson's pre-Thirteenth Floor Elevators group, the Spades) and add "Jezebel" (Frankie Laine), "Go-Go-Girl" (Bolan), "Help You Ann" (from On Fyre), "Don't Give It Up Now" (from Lyres Lyres), and "Cinderella" (the Sonics). "Help You Ann" and "Don't Give It Up Now" are the only live versions that don't quite work: the former sounds rushed -- maybe they were already tired of playing it by this point -- and the latter is marred by a homophobic comment (about AIDS) from lead singer/keyboard player, Jeff "Monoman" Conolly. Thankfully, he sticks to the original lyrics for most of the rest of the live material. A Promise Is a Promise isn't the best starting point for the Lyres neophyte, but, for those who already know and love On Fyre and Lyres Lyres, it's a worthy addition to their collection. - by Kathleen C. Fennessy

trax:
01 Here's A Heart (with Stiv Bators) 02 On Fyre 03 Everyman For Himself 05 I'll Try You Anyway 06 Worried About Nothing 07 Running Through The Night 08 She's Got Eyes That Tell Lies 09 Jagged Time Lapse 10 Knock My Socks Off 11 Sick And Tired 12 Trying Just To Please You 15 Touch 16 Witch (Live)
"Baby" 1992 - 7"/45rpm
...This lineup would cut the first Lyres single, "How Do You Know" b/w "Don't Give It Up Now," for Sounds Interesting Records, and highlights from one of their gigs would appear on the 1987 release Live at Cantones. By August 1979, the band has splintered, and Conolly would recruit guitarist Alex Kronos, bassist Scott Parmenter, and drummer Bob Mackenzie for live work. A handful of other musicians would drift in and out of the Lyres before mid-1980, when Conolly teamed up with Peter Greenberg on guitar, Mike Lewis on bass, and Howie Ferguson on drums... to be continued - by Mark Deming

trax:
01 Baby (I still need your lovin') 02 Gettin' plenty lovin'3