MOCKINGBIRDS - MOCKINGBIRDS (1996)

Self released in 1996, this amazing CD went out of print in a second. In 1997, the album was listed in any Top 10 lists everywhere. Not Lame reissued it later with three bonus tracks (not on the original). The Not Lame release (a Not lame Limited Edition) went out of print too. The Mockingbirds were Mark Fuqua, Paul Babiak, Les James and Max Butler. The album was produced by Lewis Wilson with additional production by Matthew Sweet.

Special note: I hope this post will help to bring a new reissue of this lost powerpop gem. If you are lucky enough to find a copy, grab it as soon as possible. Try ebay or amazon. If anyone has any info about a soon-to-be reissue, just post a comment and i'll remove the links.

Songs (1988 reissue)
Hey, Tristessa / Baby, You're a Star / Angels and Helicopters / Porno Star / Alfred Hitchcock / Submarine / Outlaw Song / Michael / On the Patio / Moovy / Automatic Girl / Dream City Sunshine / Freeride / Frank Mills

THE SOFT BOYS - TWO HALVES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE (1981)

"Two Halves for the Price of One" was released posthumously on Armageddon Records in 1981. That album is actually two, with individually titled sides and cover art: "Lope at the Hive" was recorded at London's Hope and Anchor, while "Only the Stones Remain" contains otherwise unreleased oddities mixed in both chronology and quality. Though some of the songs featured here have been reissued in CD format (see "Anthology 76-81"), the album itself has never been made available again and will be of particular interest to fans of this fine group.

Special note : Yep Roc release the second Robyn Hitchcock box in August. Bongo Beat will be releasing the new Kimberley Rew CD and reissuing 'Bible of Bop' later in 2008. Purchase these.

Lossless: ZS1 + ZS2 (267mb)

Only The Stones Remain
Only The Stones Remain / Where Are The Prawns? / The Bells Of Rhymney / There's Nobody Like You / Innocent Boy

Lope At The Hive
Black Snake Diamond Rock / Underwater Moonlight / Astronomy Domine / Outlaw Blues / Mystery Train

EDDIE PHILLIPS - RIFFMASTER OF THE WESTERN WORLD (1990)

For 25 years Eddie Phillips has remained England’s best kept musical secret. Considered a lead guitarist on par with Clapton, Beck and Page and the songwriting equal of Pete Townshend and Ray Davies, Eddie Phillips has never gotten the worldwide recognition he so richly deserves. Founder of the legendary 60's group The Creation (one of the seminal powerpop bands), writer of such classics as "Making Time", "Painter Man", "How Does It Feel", "Teacher, Teacher" (a hit for Rockpile) and pioneer of feedback, violin bow and "one foot in heaven, one foot in hell" slam dunk lead guitar, Eddie Phillips is the personification of the 60's English Rock star who was never corrupted by money or fame (mainly because he never got any). This was Eddie Phillips first solo rock album. Recorded in 1990, "Riffmaster of The Western World" is a set of originals and personal favourites. Eddie Phillips has a gift called magic in his fingertips.

Songs
Riffmaster / Spirit Called Love / How Does It Feel / Hi Heel Sneekers / The Jimi Hendrix Trilogy / Midnight Hour / Teacher, Teacher / Riffmaster of the Western World / Mumbo Jumbo

THE SOFT BOYS - THE DAY THEY ATE BRICK (1987)

In 1978 the Soft Boys had their second 45 "(I Want To Be An) Anglepoise Lamp" released by Radar Records. It was coupled with "Fat Man's Son" both Robyn Hitchcock songs. The Cambridge based group was lead singer Robyn Hitchcock, along with Andy Metcalf, Morris Windsor, Jim Melton, and Kimberly Rew.
A few months later, The Soft Boys had left Radar Records on the eve of the release of their debut album when Radar decided that the recording for "The Day They Ate Brick" was too bad to release. Their single "Anglepoise Lamp" was out May 1978, but their album would have to wait until they get their own record company, Two Crabs Music. "A Can Of Bees" was released in May 1979. Of course, the "Legendary Radar Demos" would find their way later as this very unofficial release. In 1993, the Radar single + 2 of those songs were included on the 2CD Rykodisc "Anthology 1976-1981". A few of the Radar songs can be heard on the 1983's "Invisible Hits" album. fegmania

Special note: This is a brand new rip of the LP originally posted on the blog i used to contribute with. Same artwork though. Two parts (RS + SB)

Songs
Millstream Pigworker / Sandra's Having Her Brain Out / Human Music / Look Into Your Mirror / Ugly Nora / Wey Wey Hep A Hole / When I Was A Kid / Rock 'n' Roll Toilet / Look Into Your Mirror (Rough mix) / Have A Heart Betty / Love Poisoning / The Asking Tree

VARIOUS - AMERICATHON OST (1979)

At The time of its release, this original motion picture soundtrack was worthy 'cause of the Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello songs, but also noteworthy was one Eddie Money song ("Get A Move On") co-written with Paul Collins, featuring Paul (guitar & vocals) and produced by Bruce Botnick.
This outrageous farce (based on a play by Firesign Theatre alumni Philip Proctor and Peter Bergman) features cameos from Elvis Costello, Jay Leno, Meat Loaf and the Del Rubio Triplets, and is narrated by George Carlin. The Beach Boys contribute to the musical soundtrack. AMG

ZS (262 mb)

Soundtrack
The Beach Boys (It's A Beautiful Day) / Eddie Money (Get A Move On) / Eddie Money (Open Up Your Heart) / Elvis Costello ((I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea) / Elvis Costello (Crawling To The U.S.A.) / Nick Lowe (Without Love) / Tom Scott (Car Wars) / Zane Buzby (Don't You Ever Say No) / Harvey Korman (Gold)

20/20
SEX-TRAP (1982) - SEX-TRAP (1983)

When the enormous backlash against the Knack hit "My Sharona", it virtually ended the careers of many far superior L.A. bands, among them 20/20 and the Plimsouls, who were undoubtedly the other two most popular bands of the scene. 20/20's label could never translate radio play and sold-out shows into national chart success, so when the label wanted to do a third album, 20/20 declined, they might have better luck elsewhere. A new deal with a major label fell through, leaving the band without a label and still in debt from the initial advance, so the band released their third album Sex-Trap in 1982 on their own Mainway Records. Spurred by more critical acclaim, the album was picked up by Enigma in 1983, two songs "Sex-Trap" and "Fast Car" were remixed, one song dropped "Please Please (Listen To Me)" and one song added, the fantastic "Jack's Got A Problem", but again, the band had signed to the label "Enigma" that would later become successful before the band had any hit records.

Special note: "Sex-Trap" has been reissued (1999) in Japan with a bonus song "Best Of Your Life". Purchase it as soon as possible if you can find an affordable copy here. Sooner or later it will be a collector's item.

Mainway SRD 101 (1982)
Overload / Walking Downtown / Bad Night / Haunted People Go / Kick It Up Twice / Fast Car / Sex Trap / Please, Please (Listen To Me) / We Can Fly / Howard

Enigma 10 (1983)
Jack's Got A Problem / Fast Car (Remix) / Sex Trap (Remix) / We Can Fly / Howard / Overload / Walking Downtown / Bad Night / Haunted People Go / Kick It Up Twice

20/20, Steve Allen & Ron Flynt can also be heard on the following:
(links to purchase)

20/20 - 4 Day Tornado (1995)
20/20 - Interstate (1998)

Steve Allen - In & Out Of The Light (2001)

Ron Flynt - Big Blue Heart (2000)
Ron Flynt - L.A Story (2004)

TRIBUTES OR NOT TRIBUTES (2006)

You all know "you can't judge a book by its cover", but you also know "you can judge a band by the covers". Sometimes, a band can ruin a great song, but sometimes another band can match or even surpass the original, such as "I Fought The Law" (The Clash), "Stop Your Sobbing" (Pretenders) or an artist can get a hit with his cover while the original version had flopped (see "Without You" of Badfinger and Harry Nilsson fame).
So, that's the reason why, the PPC blog is proud to bring to you (again) 2x50 masterpieces covered by 2x50 bands or artists. Some of them, specially the "Do Ya" version, are great covers and add something to the original, some others...well you'll judge the covers by yourself.. if you like 'em, buy 'em....

Special note : As you'll read the sleeve notes, in 2006 i made these two 2cd compilations for the blog i used to contribute for. The ones who already grabbed them at the time will remember the "Rewind" inlay had not the patchwork sleeves, so a mere 18 months later, i finally completed the work at last. And remember, these compilations are almost 100% Stones free........i wouldn't say the same about Jeff Lynne....

Tributes or not Tributes Vol 1

CD1

Lolas (Good Morning, Good Morning)) / Myracle Brah (Eight Miles High) / Matthew Sweet (American Girl) / Bleu (You Might Think) / Mark Kleiner Power Trio (Baby It's You) / Splitsville (I'll Never Fall In Love Again) / The Loud Family (We're For The Dark) / Farrah (I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend) / The Oranges (Saturday Night) / Gary & The Grip Weeds (Rock 'N' Roll Love Letter) / St Nick (Roxy Roller) / The Blondes (Dynamite) / Robin Black (Hellraiser) / The Shazam (Twilight) / Moods For Moderns (Do Ya) / Shoes (Words Of Love) / Big Hello (Tomorrow Night) / The Brambles (What Is Life) / Per Gessle (I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend) / The Summer Suns (Run Like Hell) / Buick MacKane (Country Honey) / Velvet Crush (Remember The Lightning) / The Andersons (Temporary Secretary) / The Yum Yums (Digging On You) / Jim Basnight (I Can See For Miles)

CD2
The Bigger Lovers (So It Goes) / Teen Machine (Yummy Yummy Yummy) / The Dons (She's My Fave) / Jeff Dahl (Vicious) / The Cynics (I Got You Babe) / The Wishniaks (Now) / Droogs (Paper Dolls) / The Flashcubes (All Over The World) / Bill Lloyd (Let Her Dance) / Jeremy (A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You) / Doug Powell (Love Is Like Oxygen) / Liquor Giants (Days Of Broken Arrows) / Mr Encrypto (I'll Get By) / Darian (Do You Have Any Regrets) / E (Jennifer Eccles) / Brad Jones (Let's Pretend) / The Dickies (Pretty Ballerina) / Chariot (I'd Rather You Leave Me) / The Finkers (You Tore Me Down) / Gumball (Girl Don't Tell Me) / Ike (Sparky's Dream) / Superscope (Girls Talk) / Evelyn Forever (Little Mascara) / Redd Kross (Dancing Queen) / The Vandalias (Glow Girl)

Tributes or not Tributes Rewind Vol 2

 CD1
The Cheeks (Let's Be Friends Again) / Redd Kross (How Much More) / Material Issue (I'd Wait A Million Years) / The Flashcubes (Do Anything You Wanna Do) / The Yo-Yo's (Hey Tonight) / The Smithereens (The Slider) / Hutch (Maybe Baby) / The Shambles (It's Getting Better) / The Shazam (Hangin' Around With You) / P.Hux (Strange Magic) / Jeremy (The Morning Sunshine) / Young Fresh Fellows (Craise Finton Kirk) / Cerebral Corps (Father's Name Was Dad) / The Grip Weeds (I Can Hear The Grass Grow) / Walter Clevenger (Back Of My Hand) / Lolas (Fox On The Run) / The Merrymakers (Feel A Whole Lot Better) / John P.Strohm (Somebody's Baby) / Randell Kirsch (It Hurts To Be In Love) / Spinning Jennies (Jet Fighter) / Dramarama (Reflected) / Nutrajet (Ghosts Of Princes In Towers) / Psychotic Youth (When You Walk In The Room) / Kyle Vincent & Tommy Dunbar (On The Beach) / DM3 (Caroline No)

CD2
Heavy Metal Kids (Girl Of My Dreams) / Butch Walker (Always Something There) / Wonderboy (Build Me Up Buttercup) / Myracle Brah (Too Many People) / The Nicoteens (Hey Deanie) / Tommy Keene (Hey Little Child) / The Dangtrippers (In The Street) / Alex Chilton (With A Girl Like You) / The Real Kids (Out Of Time) / Jeff Dahl (Ziggy Stardust) / Gilby Clarke (Trash) / Paranoid Lovesick (Icicles) / Jason Falkner (Wicked Annabella) / P76 (At First Sight) / Hammerfish (Couldn't I Just Tell You) / Webb Wilder (My Mind's Eyes) / Farrah (It's Different For Girls) / The Boo Radleys (There She Goes) / Wondermints (Guess I'm Dumb) / Zumpano (Changes) / Martin Luther Lennon (Dancing With Myself) / The Barracudas (Down In The Boondocks) / Bijou (Si Tu Dois Partir) / Honeycrack (Hey Bulldog) / The Michael Guthrie Band (My Generation)

20/20

Crib Death was a feature in BOMP! magazine exploring strange new tapes (demos). So, in November 1977 (issue #17), we could read this:

"Another son of Tulsa, singlehandy responsible for two gems here of maximal importance and infectuously slick pop!. Friend of the Twilleys (Phil Seymour played on these demos), Steve has pooled and skillfully utlized credible pop textures for a sound neither thin, recycled, nor compromised. "Giving It All" and "Under The Freeway" lend the tasty Twilley consciousness to superb teen anthems, avoiding the usual tiresome patterns and derivative melodic extensions. This tape is light years beyond anything submitted this time around and you'll be raeding more about this lad in the next BOMP!. He is Power Pop!"

The rest is history, Greg Shaw and BOMP released the first 20/20 single, then the band were signed to Portrait Records and released 2 stellar power pop albums, reissued in 1995 by Oglio Records. Read more about 20/20 on this excellent fanpage.

Special note: This is a CD 320 rip of the Oglio reissue which goes for ridiculous prices. You may have already seen this one on other blogs but this is is the first time the original artwork of both LP's has been included with the CD reissue scans. Also added are the BOMP! single and the 7" single from Look Out! with 2 songs unavailable on any 20/20 album. FYI, it was previously posted on this blog (see here)

Giving It All (Bomp 115)
Giving It All / Under The Freeway





20/20 (1979)
The Sky Is Falling / Yellow Pills / Cheri / Out Of This Time / Tell Me Why (Can't Understand You) / Tonight We Fly / Remember The Lightning / She's An Obsession / Leaving Your World Behind / Backyard Guys / Jet Lag / Action Now

Look Out! (1981)
Nuclear Boy / Out Of My Head / Strange Side Of Love / Alien / A Girl Like You / Life In The U.S.A. / The Night I Heard A Scream / Beat City / Mobile Unit 245 / American Dream

Strange Side Of Love (Portrait 24-02399)
Strange Side Of Love (single mix) / Child's Play / People Life

THE SWINGING MADISONS - 5-SONG 12" EP (1981)

Originally from Santa Barbara, California, singer keyboardist songwriter Kristian Hoffman began his musical career in New York's Mumps (with high school friend Lance Loud of original sin reality TV show An American Family infamy), a group which never issued an album until its recorded oeuvre was collected many years later in "Fatal Charm". and recently in "How I Saved The..". Hoffman also did time in James White's band and then formed and led the Swinging Madisons to play humorous rock for hipsters. The five songs on that group's 12-inch showcase his penchant for sardonic social commentary, à la Tom Lehrer, and unlikely rearrangements of such familiar tunes as "Volare" and a rockabilly rendition of Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man." The disc also includes three originals, the best of which is the rueful "My Mediocre Dream." Some demos are available on the Kristian Hoffman website.
Hoffman subsequently relocated to Los Angeles, where he joined Congo Norvell and then launched a solo career which has encompassed solo folk-pop (I Don't Love My Guru Anymore) and charming, effervescent rock-pop (Earthquake Weather, produced and played on by frequent studio compadre Earle Mankey). Hoffman's magnum opus, however, is & (some of the guests are Ron & Russell Mael, Darian Sahanaja, Michael Quercio, Van Dyke Parks, Steve McDonald and more....Trouser Press

Songs
Hurdy Gurdy Man / Guilty White Liberal / Put Your Bra Back On / Volare / My Mediocre Dream

JOHN FOGERTY - YOU GOT THE MAGIC (1976)

After the "John Fogerty" solo album, John wasted no time proceeding to record more material for a new album to be followed with a tour, backed by his favorite musicians. In April 1976 he released a new single, "You got the Magic/Evil Thing" which barely made it to the charts and did not sell a great deal. The single, so was announced, would be an advanced single from the soon to be released new John Fogerty album "Hoodoo"'. But as time passed "Hoodoo" 's release was cancelled and set to a later date. A date which never came...read more hoodoo

Single (Fantasy 17048)
You Got The Magic / Evil Thing

HARDCHOIR - HARDCHOIR (1983)

Only a few info about "Hardchoir" can be found. Actually, some years ago while digging the bargain bin, i was teased up by the producer, none other than Waddy Wachtel. I guess everyone of us owns more than one album with "Waddy Wacthtel" on it (Cowsills, Everly Brothers, The Church and last but not least Warren Zevon with whom he co-wrote "Werewolves of London").
So, goggling with the names of the musicians, it popped up that Patrick Maroshek (vocals & drums), Steve Hess (vocals & bass) and Mark Easterling (vocals & guitars) along Waddy Wachtel were featured on Ringo Starr's "Old Wave" (1983). All the songs were penned by the band (mainly Maroshek) and i'd say the music is on a thin line between powerpop ("Sheila", "All My Life" or "Comin' Closer") with heavier influences (hence the band's name?).If you don't know the band, think of The Romantics.

More info about the band on PopGeekHeaven

Bruce Brodeen's Lost Treasures

 

ZS (262 mb)

Songs
All Right / All My Life / Comin' Closer / Girl I Need You / For The Money / Foolin' You / Sheila / Fallout Shelter / I Think You Know That / All in All

THE BONGOS - NUMBERS WITH WINGS / BEAT HOTEL (1992)

Recording for the first time as a quartet, the Bongos cut five new songs for "Numbers With Wings" (1983), produced by Richard Gottehrer. "Barbarella" and the title track are prime, filled with swell harmonies, driving acoustic guitars and subtle structural tricks.
Produced by John Jansen (Lou Reed, Television), "Beat Hotel" (1985) is the Bongos' most rocking record, a sparkling explosion of guitar pop. "Space Jungle" has a nagging hook and a full-blown arrangement; "Apache Dancing" is similarly ambitious in a different vein; "Come Back to Me" and "A Story (Written in the Sky)" hark back to the band's simpler days; "Totem Pole" sounds a bit like the dB's except for the overblown big-band finale. Given the best audio treatment of their career, the Bongos prove their mettle, simultaneously exposing their main inadequacy: inconsistent songwriting. The now very rare CD (1992) combines "Beat Hotel" and "Numbers With Wings". Trouser Press

ZS (438 mb)

Songs
Numbers With Wings / Tiger Nights / Barbarella / Skydiving / Sweet Blue Cage / Space Jungle / Apache Dancing / Brave New World / A Story (Written In The Sky) / Beat Hotel / Come Back To Me / Splinters / She Starts Shaking / Totem Pole / Blow Up / Barbarella (Remix)

RAIDERS OF THE LOST HOOK  Vol. 1 (2008)

In 1978, Greg Shaw wrote in the Powerpop special issue of Bomp: "Any way you look at it, Powerpop began with the Who (...and the Easybeats...). Their approach to songwriting was solidly pop - every song was short, catchy, hook-filled, built on bright, uplifting major chords, and they never shied away from those all-important "la la la's".
All the bands featured in the first volume of this new collection share this "undying search for the great pop hook". Some of them found "the near perfect hook", just for one song, one EP or even an album, and then lost it and never found it again. But the songs remain short, hook-filled and catchy. Here are "The Raiders of the Lost Hook". A 2008 PPC exclusive.

Special note : Congratulations to the first readers able to name the artist (real name and alias) featured on the inside of the booklet.

Bands (Songs) (Year)
Milk'n'Cookies (Tinkertoy Tomorrow) (75) / The Roulettes (Only Heaven Knows) (81) / Tim Moore (Rock And Roll Love Letter) (74) / Caspar Giles McCloud (Messin' Around) (79) / The Rockers (Don't Leave Me Tonight) (80) / Screen Test (I Am Sincere) (81) / The Krayolas (Aw Tonight) (77) / Vance Or Towers (Do Whatever We Want) (75) / The Boys (We're Too Young) (77) / The Innocents (Darlin') (76) / The Donuts (She May Be Your Girl) (80) / The Go (Tomorrow Night) (81) / The Boyfriends (I Need Your Love) (78) / Epicycle (Put Your Socks Away) (81) / Tweeds (Underwater Girl) (78) / The Raves (Chastity) (84) / Shake Shakes (You Can Run) (79) / The Action (She's Got My Heart) (82) / The Blazers (I Can Love You) (80) / Brad Long (Tell Me) (81) / Yipes! (Heartbreak Again) (79) / Colors (Week End) (80) / The Bell Heirs (Shaking It Down) (78) / Cargoe (Feel Alright) (72) / The Marbles (Computer Cards) (77) / Thundermug (Orbit) (73)

THE ROULETTES - ROULETTES (1981)

The Roulettes album LP was released on Takoma Records (home of John Fahey). The Roulettes were fronted and produced by Bart Bishop (brother of the Wackers' Randy Bishop), Bart can also be heard on the Bomp's compilation "Vampires From Outer Space" as "Surprise" ("Maybe I'm Wright, Maybe I'm Wrong..."). Prior to the Roulettes episode, Bartholomew Bishop (as he was then known) played in "Providence" (an act signed to the Moody Blues' Threshold label). Today, Bart has gone back to using his original stage name of "Bartholomew" and is in production on a new album that focuses on his folk-classical musical roots (due to be released 2008). Also noteworthy is Jim Lowry (bass) who would play later with the french band The Froggies.
Anyway, if you dig Phil Seymour, The Rubinoos or any other classic powerpop acts of the era, you'll love this album that could (should) have been included in the Ultimate Guide Top 200...

ZS (243 mb)

Songs
Only Heaven Knows / Hold Me / Baby Don't Let Go / Love Is Like A Telescope / This Ain't The Way / Come On / Dynamite / Livin's Lovin' You / Turn Look Away / Dream About Me

COOL BLUE HALO
THE FAN CLUB TAPES (1993-1995) + KANGAROO (1996)

Cool Blue Halo was formed in 1990 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, by members Paul Bodreau, Jason Ives, Barry Walsh, and Glenn MacCulloch. The band was a large part of the burgeoning Halifax music scene, and in 1993 they released an independent, self-titled cassette. The group signed to Halifax-based No Records, and in 1996 they released their full-length CD, "Kangaroo", to great reviews. Ranging from ballads to rock, all 12 songs seem to be about girls and breaking hearts. The four-piece, known for its three-part harmonies and Beatlesque melodies, released "Too Much Katlheen" as the lead single. The album also includes a band version of "Sweetie Said". Today, Barry Walsh can be heard with Galore.

Special note: I grabbed the fan club tapes a few years ago on a website i can't find anymore. So, this is the reason why i decided to bring them to everybody along their only CD ever released "Kangaroo". An overlooked album i purchased on the recommendation of Not Lame at the time of its release. I wish this album had been in the Shake Some Action Top 200 list... Anyway, the album is not too easy to find (i only found 3 used copies @ amazon, grab them as soon as possible)

KANGAROO (1996)
Spark-O-Matik / Too Much Kathleen / Throw Me Down / 3AM / Congratulations / Not Sorry / Take It Back Now / Katie Be Careful / Stick Together / Laudry / The Only One / Sweetie Said

THE FAN CLUB TAPES (1993-1995)
Come With Me If You Wanna Live (1993)
Come With Me If You Wanna Live / 3AM






Cool Blue Halo (1993)
Go And Get It / Come With Me If You Wanna Live / 3AM / Supercindy / Some Other World



Just For You (1995)
Agenda / Laundry / Sweetie Said / Katie Be Careful / Clover / Helpless