If you're looking for something to kick those Winter blues away, look no further than this. Rowed Out records have put together a compilation featuring “18 blasts of prime ‘60s Mod Beat'. That's what it says on the tin. And the news is that, if anything, the description is a conservative one. Here we have a truly international selection of some of the finest exponents of the genre on the planet today. From the delicious Doors-esque Hammond introduction of The Movements' “Cry For You”, you know you're onto a winner.
hard Rickenbacker chords
In fact that inspirational organ sound is not far away on many tunes her. Its there on “London Electricity” - The Indikation's blistering workout, which comes complete with harmonica, The Patterns' storming “I Know What You're Thinking”, which boasts an especially catchy chorus and the danceable Modus‘ “Some People Say”. Not to mention the frenetic “Josephine” by The Hoodwinks, the funky and infectious “Yesterday's Gone” by The Marksmen and “Understanding” by Beat Revolver, which mixes it up to get you grooving. Much of this collection is full on. The Keepers can always be relied upon to produce something solid and “U And I Don't Belong” is a particular standout here with its hard Rickenbacker chords and chorus that puts you in mind of “Stepping Stone”. Then there's the incessant guitar signature of The Gonks' “Grown Man Cry” - “I'm screaming at the endless sky” - and the excellent “Butter Baby” of The Smell Of Mutiny.
shake your money maker
The Shake give us a hard-edged soulful feel on “All The Rage”, whilst The Heretics' “Cold Sore At Club Kamelon” builds up from a slower introduction with some excellent lead guitar. I also love the guitar hook and class vocals on The Frantic V's melodic “Treat Me Kind”. There's a great selection of driving garage rock here. The Woggles “Got A Heat On”, The Blow Ups' “Everybody Needs Love”, Dollsquad;s “I Don't Need No Doctor” and The Impact's “Talk Of the Town are cases in point. All are frenetic, all have monumental guitar and all just want you to jump up and shake your money maker like there‘s no tomorrow. Fantastic, adrenilin pumping sounds.
inspirational Hammond
And to finish, there are old favourites The Lost 45s with the brilliant medium paced “Ghost In The Noonday Sun” (a reference to Tom Wolfe's classic piece “Noonday Underground”?). There's that inspirational Hammond again, along with some excellent bluesy vocals. What a way to close. As it says on the cover, “PLAY IT LOUD AND PROUD”. Just makes you want to put it on again. You can pick it up from here: http://www.rowedout.co.uk/ Get it while you can. Rob Massey