Description
The Cynics – Blue Train Station – Vinyl Record
Blue Train Station is the debut studio album by the Pittsburgh-based garage rock band The Cynics, released in 1986 through Get Hip Recordings. This album helped establish The Cynics as one of the leading bands in the garage rock revival movement of the 1980s, drawing on the raw energy of 1960s garage and proto-punk bands. The Cynics, led by vocalist Michael Kastelic and guitarist Gregg Kostelich, embraced a gritty, fuzz-laden sound that combined jangly guitars, snarling vocals, and catchy melodies.
Blue Train Station is notable for its blend of garage rock, punk attitude, and elements of 1960s British Invasion pop. The album’s raw, unpolished production and energetic performances made it a cult favorite among fans of garage rock and DIY punk.
Blue Train Station is packed with high-energy songs that showcase the band’s ability to combine vintage garage rock with a modern punk edge. The album is a mix of original compositions and covers that highlight The Cynics’ love for 1960s rock and roll.
‘Blue Train Station’ – The title track is an upbeat garage rock anthem with a catchy riff and strong rhythm, featuring Kastelic’s distinctive vocals and Kostelich’s jangly guitar work. It’s a perfect opener that sets the tone for the rest of the album with its fast pace and raw sound.
‘On the Run’ – This track delivers a burst of energy with its driving beat, punk rock edge, and rebellious lyrics. The fuzzed-out guitars and Kastelic’s impassioned delivery make it one of the standout tracks on the album.
‘Waste of Time’ – With its high-energy riffing and propulsive beat, ‘Waste of Time’ showcases the band’s ability to mix punk intensity with the melodic hooks of garage rock. It’s short, fast, and punchy, reflecting the band’s DIY punk ethos.
‘Dancing on the Wall’ – A more melodic track, ‘Dancing on the Wall’ highlights the band’s 1960s influences, with its jangly guitar riff and a catchy, pop-leaning chorus. The song maintains the raw edge of the rest of the album but introduces a more reflective tone.
‘Love Me Then Go Away’ – With its sarcastic lyrics and punchy rhythm, this song captures The Cynics’ signature blend of garage rock with a rebellious attitude. The driving beat and simple, effective guitar riffs give it a timeless garage rock feel.
Blue Train Station captures the raw, rebellious spirit of garage rock, with themes centered on youthful frustration, love, alienation, and rebellion. The Cynics channel the sound of 1960s garage bands like The Sonics, The Standells, and The Seeds, blending their influence with a more modern punk attitude.
The production is intentionally lo-fi, giving the album an unpolished, authentic feel that mirrors the DIY ethos of punk rock. The fuzz-drenched guitars, pounding drums, and Kastelic’s rough, expressive vocals dominate the sound, providing a direct, in-your-face listening experience. While rooted in retro rock and roll, the album also has a timeless quality that has helped it endure over the decades.
Blue Train Station is regarded as a seminal album in the garage rock revival scene of the 1980s, helping to bring the raw sound of 1960s garage rock back to the forefront of underground music. Though The Cynics never achieved mainstream success, the album earned a cult following and continues to be appreciated by fans of garage rock and punk.
The album’s mix of gritty energy and catchy melodies captured the essence of what made garage rock appealing in the first place: unfiltered emotion, primal sound, and pure rock and roll energy. Blue Train Station laid the groundwork for The Cynics’ career and is often cited as a cornerstone of their discography.
The Cynics are celebrated as one of the key bands of the 1980s garage rock revival, and Blue Train Station is an essential part of their legacy. The album’s influence can be heard in later waves of garage rock bands, as it helped pave the way for the 2000s garage rock resurgence led by bands like The White Stripes, The Hives, and The Black Keys.
For fans of garage rock, punk, and raw rock and roll, ‘Blue Train Station’ remains a must-listen, representing the spirit of DIY rebellion and timeless energy that defines the genre.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic seal
Track Listing
Blue Train Station
On The Run
Waste Of Time
No Friend Of Mine
Soul Searchin’
Love Me Then Go Away
No Way
Hold Me Right
Why You Left Me
I Can’t Get Away From You
I Want Love
Road Block
