Barbarians Are You A Boy Or Are You A Girl? CD

While the Barbarians live up to a lot of people's vision of the classic garage-band image, their album is disappointing and thin-sounding. The material, none of which was penned by the group, is average and doesn't even rock terribly hard. "Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl" is here, but much of the rest of the songs are overdone standards ("House of the Rising Sun" is especially lame). "What the New Breed Say" is an OK anthem of rebellion, and "I'll Keep on Seeing You" a modestly touching ballad. But as eight of the 12 songs are covers and four tunes are supplied to them by songwriters not in the band, the album does not reflect much in the way of an original vision. The 2000 Sundazed reissue adds three important bonus tracks: "Moulty" and, at long last, both sides of their rare 1964 single on Joy, "Hey Little Bird"/"You've Got to Understand." "Hey Little Bird," the song they performed on their T.A.M.I. Show appearance, is easily their best track, although the studio version isn't as ferocious as their rendition on film. ~ Richie Unterberger

While the Barbarians live up to a lot of people's vision of the classic garage band image-wise, their album is disappointing and thin-sounding. The material, none of which was penned by the group, is average and doesn't even rock terribly hard. "Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl" is here, but much of the rest of the songs are overdone standards ("House of the Rising Sun" is especially lame). "What the New Breed Say" is an okay anthem of rebellion, and "I'll Keep on Seeing You" is a modestly touching ballad. However, as eight of the 12 songs are covers and four tunes are supplied to them by songwriters not in the band, the album does not reflect much in the way of an original vision. The 2000 Sundazed reissue adds three important bonus tracks: "Moulty" and, at long last, both sides of their rare 1964 single on Joy, "Hey Little Bird"/"You've Got to Understand." "Hey Little Bird," the song they performed on their T.A.M.I. Show appearance, is easily their best track, although the studio version isn't as ferocious as their rendition on film. ~ Richie Unterberger

Re-Issue Of Compilation;With 3 Bonus Tracks

Includes liner notes by Dan Burr.

Recorded at Allegro Sound Studios & Joy Records Studios, New York, New York in 1964 & 1965. Includes liner notes by Beverley Paterson.

Full title: Are You A Boy Or Are You A Girl.

The Barbarians: Victor "Moulty" Moulton (vocals, drums); Bruce Benson, Jerry Causi (guitar); Jeff Morris (bass).

Personnel: Bruce Benson, Jeff Morris (guitar).

Unknown Contributor Role: Victor Moulton.

The Barbarians: Jeff Morris, Bruce Benson (guitar); Jerry Causi (bass); Victor "Moulty" Moulton (drums).

Mojo (Publisher) (6/00, p.120) - "...'Are You A Boy' was a garage band protest anthem to end 'em all. The follow-up, 'What The New Breed Say', was almost as hip and their 1st single, 'Hey Little Bird' was a marvelously snotty slice of teen angst. All are included..."