Wizzard In Vinyl Records - Retrospective Power Pop Gems Part 1
Sohostrut e-zine have been lucky enough to receive a full package of gems from Wizzard In Vinyl, the Japanese power pop label, so it is high time that I get on with covering their releases. Most of the retrospectives Wizzard In Vinyl have issued cover the late 70s/early 80s period when power pop acts seemed to be bursting out all over the USA . Here are some of the acts that the label has been re-issuing.
The Finders - Calling Dr Powerpop (Wizzard In Vinyl with Squid Music)
The Finders were a power pop combo active in the San Francisco Bay area in the early 80s and this retrospective is a real find, as their name suggests. This is a CD choke full of catchy guitar pop that really hits the spot. This compilation has pieced together all their recordings, including an album that was never released. From the contents of this CD, it seems that The Finders were really unlucky not to find their way to a wider audience, as the songs on this compilation are fine examples of well crafted guitar pop. ‘Talk To Me' with its driving beat, choppy chords, layers of harmonies, great vocals and big chorus kicks off the compilation and is typical of the whole retrospective. The Finders take their The Who/The Move influences and give it the late 70s /early 80s vibe and the results are bloody good. ‘Don't Let It' blows along with a load of attitude. ‘Think I'll Ask Her' is rousing with big melodic chords, the superb laid back pop of ‘Ain't No Us in Tryin' is a treat and powered up mod vibes is the dish with ‘Which Way'. Mad novelty tune ‘Bad Food' with its projectile vomiting, spitting and filthy food is a gas. The jangly tune ‘Summer Love' is a bit special, a superb tune filled with real joy. Overall The Finders were an outfit with obvious talent, but at the time it didn't quite happen for them, but with this new release their excellent music has been given a new lease of life. Jonny Magus.
Rubber City Rebels The Akron Years (1977) - (Wizzard In Vinyl)
Mean trashy 77 punk from the Rubber City Rebels with scuzzy guitars, pounding organ and big guitar riffs, that seems to melt the horror humour of Alice Cooper with the no messing around attitude of The Ramones. This compilation goes through the Rubber City Rebels early period including recordings, live performances and some TV footage from their years in their hometown of Akron Ohio . ‘Kidnapped' is a wild romp and ‘Brain Job' is particularly mean. Big chords blast off ‘Child Eaters', a daft but great horror tune, all done in a vicious theatrical style. ‘ Rubber City Rebels' is their manifesto for all out rock'n'roll. The live tunes are rough and raw, but they act as an interesting document of the time. The Rubber City Rebels sleazoid vibe comes across in rabble rousing style, with lots of riffing guitars and snarling vocals. The live cover of Paul Revere and The Raiders ‘Just Like Me' is great fun, with the guitars going into freak-out heaven. The Rubber City Rebels were definitely a bunch of tough punks back in 77, making a racket and causing a ruckus. Jonny Magus
Rubber City Rebels The Hollywood Years (1979-1984) - (Wizzard In Vinyl)
The crazy times continued for the Rubber City Rebels when they moved to LA. Their brand of absurdist punk is now mixed in with a more melodic bubblegum touch. ‘Paper Dolls' is a power pop gem showcasing the bands expanding repertoire of style, with melodic guitar licks, a bubblegum vocal and close harmonies, this is nice slice of guitar pop. ‘Gonna Be Strong' continues in the more melodic vein, with a nice Flamin' Groovies feel. ‘Child Eaters' is a re-recording of their early nasty punk masterpiece, with slicker production and a bigger chorus, but the sheer deranged quality to the lyrics keeps it mean and nasty. ‘Young And Dumb' is a mid paced punk rocker, with lots of licks, a snarling vocal and a big rousing chorus about our intellectually challenged young heroine. ‘Bluer Than Blue' is stomping no messing around rock'n'roll, with loads of attitude. Covers of ‘No Feelings' ‘Surprise Surprise' ‘Somebody's Gonna Get (Their Head Kicked In Tonight)' and ‘Caught In A Dream' are given an upbeat bubblegum punk makeover. Of interest are the sessions the band made with The Nerves Jack Lee, including another recording of the Lee penned Paper Dolls. This version has a rawer edge, but still works as fine melodic powerpop. Rubber City Rebels cooked up a roast of stripped down rock'n'roll mixed with the odd melodic moment and this retrospective has given the bands back catalogue a new outlet. Jonny Magus
The Go – Instant Reaction (Wizzard In Vinyl)
Instant Reaction by The Go covers their EP release and a host of unreleased recordings that band made at the time in their own garage. Success eluded the band and from the songs of their EP release, it is a shame that the band didn't go further.
‘Instant Reaction' with its big mod revival chorus and the stripped down feel makes for exciting vibes. ‘Tomorrow Night' has a laid back jangle full of melody and harmonies, nice 60s inflected guitar pop. ‘Don't Take Her Away' is like The Jam, a power pop romp, full energy and melody. ‘She Gives A Color To Me' is a sweet sugary guitar tune with a melancholic dreamy feel. As for their own recordings The Go show that they had a real talent for a catchy tune, and it is a blessing that these lo-fi pop gems are now available through Wizzard In Vinyl. It is amazing that these boys didn't progress further because their own recording are like a horde of golden nuggets ‘Ricki', ‘You're The One', ‘Come Back Rosalyn', ‘In The Nighttime', ‘Everyone Knows About It', ‘Gerri G', ‘ Steel Cages Tin Drums', ‘The Girl I Let Go', ‘Sheila B. Mine' tune after upbeat sugar shaking tune fills this remarkable album. If you like The Jam, early Beatles, early beach Boys, The Raspberries, Buddy Holly and the poppy moments of the Ramones check out this album. At last these kings of obscure skinny tie pop have been given the opportunity to be heard by a wider audience, magnificent stuff. Jonny Magus
The Other Kids – The Other Kids (Wizzard In Vinyl)
Wizzard in Vinyl have pieced together a compilation featuring the best moments of The Other Kids career which spanned the years 1985-1990. The band produced three albums during this time, with the first couple produced by Butch Vig. If you're into very melodic jangly indie pop, with a power pop edge, then The Others Kids are a band you must check out. There are many fantastic tunes spread across this cool compilation. The Other Kids had the ability to write songs both sweet and hard, all with a rush of melodic heaven. ‘Neverland' is sugary jangly pop that digs into your mind. Upbeat power popper ‘Another Boring Day' is a high tempo pleasure. ‘Shame On You' is more muscular, full of energy and strong harmonies, a rather excellent song I think. ‘Water Water Everywhere' is jangle-tastic. Live version of ‘She's Got Me Where It Hurts' showcases the band in full on rock'n'roll mode. ‘Satellite' is upbeat power pop with nifty guitar licks, ‘Out Of Site, Out Of Mind' is a jangle delight and ‘Young And Insane' blows along at pace. Final tune Autumn Girl is finishes off this fine compilation in melancholic style, with this intense song filled with sad melodies. Jonny Magus.