Record of the Week: The Resonars - Lunar Kit

Matt Rendon, from Tucson, Arizona has been recording under the name The Resonars for quite a few years. I believe there was a full functioning band at one time but eventually the band became largely a vehicle for Matt's 60s inspired, melodic pop gems.  While I chose this record as the "Record of the Week", it was actually released in 2002 on Get Hip Records out of Pittsburgh, PA.

I recently obtained a copy of this record since I missed it when it originally came out but when I listened to for the first time it sounded so good that I felt that I need to tell the world about it.  By the way, thanks Amazon! One thing to note, if you pick up this record and like it, you will love their entire catalog.  The Resonars sound has not changed much over the years but that is a good thing. The consistency of the song writing has been incredible over the years. Every record has at least one song that is worth the price of admission alone. This record may actually have a couple. For example, check out the pretty She's In Love With Her, or the more gritty but no less melodic Funny Old World.  Finally, here is my favorite song on this album...if I had written this I would retire...Way Way Way Way Out  The Resonars..one of Arizona's finest...and criminally ignored.

For those that are interested in the band, check out this brief 7 minute video on Matt and his studio and recording career.

The Vagrants - I Can't Make a Friend 1965 -1968

What a nice surprise.  Garage band from Forest Hills, NY.  This is not the snarling garage punk rock variety but is instead more melody based with a few elements of folk rock.

For a taste of how melodic these guys could be, take a listen to this gorgeous song called, Your Hasty Heart.  Also, check out, You're Too Young.  Here is a final song, And When It's Over.  If this is your bag, you will like the Vagrants.

Record of the Week: Newtown Neurotics - Punk Collection

When I first started working at Off The Record in San Diego when I was a freshman in college, I was still pretty new to "punk" music. I was aware and into bands like The Clash, The Jam, The Sex Pistols, etc, but I did not really know much about the thousands of other punk bands from that era; bands that were as good as the bands that were famous.  However, at Off The Record, I was able to explore LPSs and 45s to my heart's content.  My first exposure to the Newtown Neurotics came in the way of import of 45s from the UK.  I can't remember what order I bought them in but I remember that I picked up 3 pretty much right in a row.  The time frame? 1981/82?  For the longest time, all that was available were these three (or four?) killer singles with these great, melodic punk riffs and Steve Drewett's impassioned vocals. Check out Kick Out the Tories, or Mindless Violence. 

Eventually, the Newtown Neurotics LP finally came out and we all rejoiced because we had a full album of this tremendous three piece band with new songs that were just as good as those on the early 45s.  On this debut LP, we were introduced other classic Neurotics songs like No Respect and Newtown People. Here is a live version of Newtown People. 

This collection, which I highly recommend, contains all the Newtown Neurotics 45s (both A and B sides) and the full debut LP on one CD. The CD comes with Steve's notes and comments on each song in this collection. If you like any of the songs I have posted above, I think you will enjoy the rest of this CD.

A tremendous band.