The Misunderstood: The Lost Acetates 1965-1966 is the first full length release on Ugly Things records (http://www.ugly-things.com/misunderstood.html).  These unheralded recordings are nothing short of a revelation.  The 14 songs included were recorded during 5 separate recording sessions California and London that occurred between July 1965 and September 1966. 

Of the songs included only 5 are familiar from the Cherry Red release – Before the Dream Faded.  For fans already acquainted with the Misunderstood, it is the eight other songs that will be the most interesting.  The disc starts off with a great song, She Got Me (Version II).  This cut has the full-fledged Misunderstood sound, complete with snarling vocals, fuzzed out guitars and vocal harmonies.  If you like the sound of the Animals or Them, you’ll love this.  Also included is an earlier version of the song which has a more bare boned approach.  Don’t Break Me Down is a nice melodic tune with some fine Byrdsy guitars.  Bury My Body is a great Yardbird’s style work out, how these guys never made it is a real crime.  Next up is Why, a solid mid-tempo rocker, which is a band written environmental protest song.  It is followed by a take on Slim Harpo’s Got Live If You Want It, that would make the Yardbirds proud.  End Of Time is a minor key blues that really burns.  The last of the new songs is a rave up version of Hoyt Axton’s Thunder N’ Lightning. 

The last six songs in the set cover songs already included in the Cherry Red collection.  There are two versions of I Unseen included.  Version I is slower and more mournful than the familiar version.  Version II, although only recorded eight months later, shows the tremendous growth of the band as well as Tony Hill’s influence.  The remaining Misunderstood standards included are Children Of The Sun, Who’s Been Talkin’, My Mind and Find The Hidden Door.  While all 4 are excellent songs these versions are fairly similar to the previously released versions.  That said I still managed to spend a good chunk of enjoyable time comparing the subtle differences between the various versions of these songs. 
Even though the 14 songs included are from demo acetate discs the sound quality is very good.  Occasionally you can hear some slight surface noise or recording anomalies.  These in no way detract from the listening experience, and are covered in more detail in the extensive liner notes by Mike Stax.  The 12 page booklet includes tons of details on the recordings and the band’s history.  There are also many color and black and white pictures of the band and the acetates themselves.  The cover incorporates an original painting by Greg Treadway from 1966.  All in all this is a very impressive first release from Ugly Things Records.  All Misunderstood fans wi ll want to go ahead and order a copy of the CD ($14.95US) or the limited edition LP ($17.95US) right away.