Stonecake - in the middle of nowhere (1995) (MVG Records MVG118) (Swedish Pop Collection #9)

 

Stonecake...part of a Swedish pop collection that I bought from a collector. I had a found a copy for myself a while ago so this is my second copy. However, I do not mind having two copies because listening to this CD again brings back great memories. In addition, re-listening to this CD reminds what great music it contained. The genre is definitely pop so those looking for pretty melodies in a rock group setting are going to love this. My favorite from this album was Dancing on Velvet. This song ended up on a lot of mix cassettes that I made back in the late 90s. Listen to that chorus. You can't help but sing along. There are other great gems on this album. If you find it, buy it, and keep it. Here is another great song The Border 930519

Various Artists - 1978 The Year The UK Turned Day-Glo (Cherry Red) 3 CD Box Set (2020)

 

1976 saw the Sex Pistols emerge in the UK. Those same Sex Pistols did their last concert in San Francisco in January of 1978. So what happened to the UK punk scene after the Sex Pistols imploded? Well, according to this solid 3 CD box set from Cherry Records - punk rock fragmented into different pieces. Those different pieces turned into the beginnings of new wave, power-pop, the mod revival, ska-punk, industrial music, synth-oriented electronica, and post-punk. Yet, even as these new sounds were born, there were still some bands flying the flag of the scorched earth, one chord punk rock that had emerged back in 1976. 

The beauty of this box set is that they have managed to capture some of the bands and sounds that emerged in 1978. While some of the bands will be familiar to many of you (take a look at the cover), there are always songs and bands that are new to me. Take a listen to some of those bands and sounds below. 

Menace - I'm Civilized

999 - Emergency

This is a fun box set. Aside from being a good historical record, some of the music on here still rocks today. Worth the purchase and all three CDs make it to the ipod!

The Lyres - A Promise is A Promise - Matador (1998) CD Reissue

 

The Lyres are one of the best and most influential bands that emerged from the garage rock scene in the early 1980s. The Lyres are from Boston and are largely the musical outlet of Jeff Connelly. You can actually read the story of the band that are included in the liner notes of this CD. This reissue includes the full  "A Promise is A Promise" album that was released originally in 1988. This reissue includes the original album (LP) and the extra tracks that were included on the cassette and CD version of the LP. Remember when record companies put more songs on the CD to get you to buy the CD and or both the LP and the CD? I am glad they stopped doing that. 

Some of you may not have any idea what the 'garage-rock' scene was or is but let me tell you that if you simply like rock'n'roll, then go and buy everything by this band. Regardless of their "genre', The Lyres are just a great RnR band. I can't recommend this CD enough. 

To get a feel about what I mean, take a listen to the opening track which is just perfect. Here's A Heart

And for something in a minor key, Worried About Nothing

Various Artists - You Can Walk Across It On The Grass - Grapefruit Records - 3 CD Box Set - 2024

 

Another gem from Grapefruit Records. This is a collection of 60s London! Imagine having great soundtrack of real music from the 60s for any Austin Powers movie. Is it groovy? Absolutely. While some of the artists and bands will be familiar to some or all of you...The Yardbirds, The Kinks, Tom Jones, and Dusty Springfield, - there are tons of songs by bands and artists that were not so famous or familiar (at least to me)...I have chosen a few down below that you can test for yourself...I definitely recommend this box set. Just put it on and let it play..it really captures a mood and holds it well throughout...I guess it is the mood of 60s swingin' London!

A Band of Angels - Invitation

Tony Rivers and The Castaways - Girl Don't Tell Me

The Hi-Fi's - London Look

David Bowie with The Lower Third - Can't Help Thinking About Me

The Roll Movement - I'm Out On My Own

The Odyssey - How Long Is Time

Michael Rault - I'll Be There/Sleep With Me - Wick Records 7" (WCK 1009)

 

Another one from Wick Records- Daptone Records garage rock/indie rock imprint. This release is more along the indie rock side. Michael Rault has a nice, higher-register voice. The songs are melodic and the B side has some nice string (programmed?) arrangements. This is from 2019. The A side has a nice, tasty guitar riff that starts off the record. Good effort. 

Johnny's Uncalled Four - Please Say/Daydream - Wick Records 7" (WCK 1010)

 

Wick Records is the garage rock imprint of Daptone Records (yeah the soul label!). I did not know that before I bought the 45. For some reason I thought I was buying some soul 45s. No problem! 

The A side is solid, mid-tempo rocker with a hypnotic beat. The B side is an instrumental with a soft lead guitar line. Reminds me of a surf song about a long winding road. I just made that up but that is what it sounds like to me. Good record. 2020 release. More Wick Records releases coming!

Various Artists: New Guitars In Town - Power Pop 1978-82 (3 CD Box Set) Cherry Red Records

 Another power pop box set. There are a few of these out now. My interest in power pop is starting to cool given the amount of releases out now. All of them sort of mining the same era and bands. I bought this because Cherry Red puts out excellent box sets.  

This is a strictly UK affair so don't look for any U.S. bands here. The definition of 'power pop' here is a bit broad as there are songs from The Buzzcocks, Stiff Little Fingers, The Undertones, and even The Jam. All the bands just named were originally thought of us being part of the late 70s U.K punk movement. However, that is not bad because it better to think of this box set as capturing good to great guitar pop rock. In other words, don't fret whether or not these are really 'power pop' bands. Rather, just enjoy this is 3 CD set of good music from guitar-oriented bands from the U.K. - from 1978-82. 

I did discover a few bands and songs that I had not heard before. A couple of stand outs include The Motors - Forget About You and The Jags - Party Games 

A few may enjoy The Upstarts- Beggin 

Or Straight Eight - Tonite or  The Covers - Too Hot To Handle