TROUSER PRESS PRESENTS
THE BEST OF AMERICA UNDERGROUND (1983)

Established around 1975, Trouser Press (in 1976) instituted a column called "America Underground" solely to cover independent releases. Then, a few years later, Trouser Press assembled this tape-only release for the NYC label ROIR, selecting their all-time favorites since 1975. The tape collection was mixing some outstanding powerpop gems (Shoes, Gary Valentine, Nerves and Tweeds) with some other kind of underground music. The album has never been reissued in CD format. The "Tweeds' Underwater Girl" is the much better original version of the song later re-recorded and available on the "Shake Some Action Vol 7" collection. The "Shoes' Like I Told You" has never been widely available until Jordan Oakes included this version (different from the one on the "As Is" album) on the 2006 Prefill compilation.

Special note : I made a special complete artwork for CD using elements from the original cassette ROIR design.

Bands (Songs)
Chris Moffa & The Competition (You Know How Hot (it's Getting Around Here)) / Martha Hull (Feelin' Right Tonight) / Norman Salant (Tickets Are Free) / Erector Set (Inside Out) / Poli Styrene Jass Band (Drano In Your Veins) / Shoes (Like I Told You) / Nerves (Working Too Hard) / R. Stevie Moore (Manufacturers) / Residents (The Booker Tease) / Pylon (Dub) / Gary Valentine (The First One) / Fans (True) / Tweeds (Underwater Girl) / Bunnydrums (Crawl) / Wrinklemusik (A Move To The Right) / Algebra Suicide (True Romance At The World's Fair) / Suburbs (World War III) / Dub Rifles (Stand) / Bizarros (I, Bizarro) / Armand Schaubroeck Steals (The Independent Hitter (Shortened Version))