Every 10 years, another generation discovers the Creation, via periodic reissues such as this. Beginning as another ’60s beat group gone aggressively R&B, the band stole the Who’s aggro-mod mantle and turbo-boosted it: more fuzz, more feedback, guitarist Eddie Phillips viciously attacking his Gibson with a violin bow, spray-can paintings burned onstage, etc. Under the production aegis of Shel Talmy, who was already supervising sessions for Britain’s hardest rockers (the Kinks, the aforementioned Who), the Creation turned out spectacular singles that essentially became the gold standard for what came to be known as freakbeat: “Making Time,” “Painter Man,” “Through My Eyes,” molten classic “How Does It Feel To Feel?” Pete Townshend reportedly wanted to bring Phillips to the Who; the Sex Pistols would cover “Through My Eyes”; Johnny Rotten would spin “Life Is Just Beginning” on the radio; the Jam would sneak a Creation 45 label into the All Mod Cons inner sleeve collage; and Alan McGee would name his record label in the band’s honor. Like many of rock’s best, the members of the Creation were never stars, but their influence outstripped their sales. Action Painting sees the band’s entire ’60s back catalog, including its pre-Creation beat recordings as the Mark Four, given loving remastering from the original sources, under Talmy’s supervision. Several classics also finally receive true stereo mixes from Talmy for the first time, with unadorned backing tracks finally receiving airing as well. They remain a signpost for all who feel smart pop shouldn’t be devoid of guitaristic and rhythmic brutality.
—Tim Stegall
