Various Artists - Beat From Badsville: Trash Classics from Lux and Ivy's Vinyl Mountain Vol. 3

So, here is a little background. Lux Interior and Poison Ivy led a legendary punk, trash, garage rock band called The Cramps. In addition, Lux and Ivy were big time record collectors especially of the single or 45 variety. When Lux (singer and cofounder) died, his wife, guitarist and cofounder, Ivy,  essentially ended The Cramps. After The Cramps ended, given the general desire and glee for anything related to The Cramps, compilations (like this one) started to appear that supposedly take records from Lux and Poison's record collection and makes them available to the general population. Much like The Cramps, the records here range from 50s rockabilly and rock'n'roll, novelty records, and early RnB/doo-wop. Most of these artists are unknown (e.g., Glenn Reeves, The Morrocos, The Bobbettes), however, there are a few songs by more well known artists including Wanda Jackson, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Annette (Funicello), and teen-idol, Fabian.

Here is taste of what you will find on here:

Wanda Jackson - Mean, Mean Man
Charlie Baker - You Crack Me Up
Annette - Jo Jo The Dog Faced Boy

The Muffs - Happy Birthday to Me (1997)

Well, I bought this used not too long ago and had not had a chance to listen to it until this week. My bad. This is a great slice of pop punk and alternative rock that satisfies all your needs for crunchy guitars, gritty, strained female vocals, and sing-along melodies. When adding this to my Discog collection, I was surprised that this was from 1997. The music is not dated at all it is a pleasure to hear a bit of crunch to the guitars. In listening to it now, I am reminded of The Thermals. To my ears there is a similarity although I think the Muffs are a bit more melodic. I will need to explore more records by The Muffs. You should as well. Here is a taste of Crush Me  and a personal fave, All Baby Blue.

Grand Atlantic - This is Grand Atlantic (2006)

Within the last year or so, I went through the Popboomerang catalog of music and ordered all those CDs that were listed as power pop/melodic guitar pop or indie rock. Scott Thurling, the mastermind behind the label also helped me in finding the right music to buy. I ended buying around 20 to 25 CDs. Grand Atlantic is one of those CDs I purchased. What a find!

I do not know much about this Australian outfit other than they are very good. They definitely are melodic but I get the sense they are bit moodier than the typical "power pop" band. In listening to this CD I am hearing more of a Posies or Gigolo Aunts vibe. In fact, I just checked with Scott Thurling on Facebook to see if my characterization is wrong and he says "No, You are not wrong!". So, my ears are still working well. : ) To get a sense of what Grand Atlantic is doing on this release (their debut), listen to gems like Wonderful Tragedy or Until It's Gone.  I also loved Take You For Granted. If you like a little more muscle to your pop, listen to Missile Crisis which to me sounds more like another great Australian band called You Am I. Overall, this is an excellent CD and recommended.

Kelly's Heels - Dig In ! (2004)

Kelly's Heels is a UK based band that plays superb guitar based pop music. This release, on Australian-based Popboomerang Records, is a compilation of songs from their first 4 albums that spanned the years 1998-2003. I first became aware of Kelly's Heels from their association with the US based pop label Not Lame in the late 90s. Basically, if a CD came out on Not Lame, it was a must have. At the time, I am talking about the late 90s and early 2000s, guitar pop bands like this were coming out of the woodwork and the whole world was a melodic paradise.

If you have any doubts, check out Sabrina, the opening track of this compilation and the opening track on their debut Gone Off Pop ?!? Other standouts include How Much Worse? or She Knows or my personal favorite, Faded Out. While the period of 1998-2003 was a long time ago, this is still high quality pop that will bring a smile on your face even to your jaded heart in 2019. I mean, does good guitar pop ever age? I don't think so. Also, I believe this is still available from Popboomerang.

Stoneage Hearts - Guilty As Sin (2005)

All you need to know is that the Stoneage Hearts are from Australia and the incredibly talented Dom Mariani is on guitar and vocals. With that first sentence, that is really all you need to know. That first sentence should make you go and find this recording because anything that is fronted by Dom Mariani is just going to be a stone-cold classic of garage rock, power-pop, or acid-rock ,depending on the band. The Stoneage Hearts are a garage band, or if you don't like that term, just think of a rock'n'roll band. In fact, listen to Rock'n'Roll Boys Rock'n'Roll Girls. How about Your Smile. Convinced? This is from 2005! Nuff said.

Kusudo & Worth - Of Sun and Rain (2019 reissue)

Originally released in 1968 as a private pressing of under 200 copies, the music of Ken Kusudo and Jeff Worth is available once again. Considered an underground classic of folk and acid folk, Of Sun and Rain contains haunting, intimate vocals, and beautifully sounding acoustic guitars. Many consider the music here to be comparable to any folk classic of the late 60s. For me it is perfect for a late night drive. This CD includes extensive booklet that tells the story of Kusudo & Worth. Enjoy this clip of Elizabeth

Cloud Eleven - Footnote (2019)

Cloud Eleven is really Rick Gallego. Rick has been recording gorgeous, layered pop music from his home in Los Angeles for many years. On this album, Cloud Eleven's sixth, Rick plays all of the instruments.

Cloud Eleven's sound has a tinge of a 60s flavor but on this album I can hear a little bit of 70s influence creeping into the songs(?). However, to me the ultimate compliment that I can pay to Cloud Eleven is that they sound like classic "California music". I don't mean surf music or early Beach Boys but it certainly has a late 60s/early 70s sound to it that reminds me of California. As a sample, consider On Pismo Beach. Or the moody but gorgeous backt-to-back songs of  kingsville and same sky