THE BLOW POPS - AMERICAN BEAUTIES (1994)
Milwaukee quartet the Blow Pops were one of the great indie power pop bands of the early '90s, but they broke up after only two albums, too soon to really benefit from the Internet-spawned growth of the underground power pop scene that started around 1995. Although they can be difficult to locate due to their limited distribution, the Blow Pops' two albums are revered by many fans of the style.
The Blow Pops formed in late 1989 when singer/guitarist Mike Jarvis (once in the Chicago pop-punk band Green) and guitarist Tim Buckley (formerly of local legends Wobble Test, and not the late folk-jazz singer) joined with bassist John Daniels and drummer Nick Randazzo, and released their first single, "Stop!" backed with "I Know Nancy," the following year. Daniels was replaced in 1991 by Jack Rice, formerly of the excellently named the Mighty Deer Lick. The quartet's first album, "Charmed I'm Sure", came out on the Pittsburgh garage rock indie Get Hip in 1992. Following another single, 1993's "My Carrie" backed with "Bleary Eyes" (both tracks showed up on the CD version of American Beauties), the Blow Pops recorded their second band final album, 1994's "American Beauties". Produced by Jeff Murphy of Shoes, "American Beauties" is a little crunchier than the harmony-heavy, lightly psychedelic debut.
The Blow Pops broke up in early 1995. Jarvis, Randazzo, and Rice went on to form the Lackloves, a superb power pop band that fulfills much of the Blow Pops' promise. Buckley moved to Richmond, VA, and followed a surprisingly different musical path, forming the neo psychedelic Maki. Jack Rice is now with The Carolinas.
Special note: Both albums are now out of print and not too easy to find. If you're lucky enough to find some copies, grab them as soon as possible. Try ebay, amazon or the bargain bins of your local record store.
Songs
Storybook / 7 Days With You / She Don't Need Me Now / Cleveland / I'm Seeing Love / Without Reason / Take the World / All Night Long / Halloween / Here Goes My Heart / Love to Tell / She's a Runner / Everyday Clyde / More and More / My Carrie / Bleary Eyes
The Blow Pops formed in late 1989 when singer/guitarist Mike Jarvis (once in the Chicago pop-punk band Green) and guitarist Tim Buckley (formerly of local legends Wobble Test, and not the late folk-jazz singer) joined with bassist John Daniels and drummer Nick Randazzo, and released their first single, "Stop!" backed with "I Know Nancy," the following year. Daniels was replaced in 1991 by Jack Rice, formerly of the excellently named the Mighty Deer Lick. The quartet's first album, "Charmed I'm Sure", came out on the Pittsburgh garage rock indie Get Hip in 1992. Following another single, 1993's "My Carrie" backed with "Bleary Eyes" (both tracks showed up on the CD version of American Beauties), the Blow Pops recorded their second band final album, 1994's "American Beauties". Produced by Jeff Murphy of Shoes, "American Beauties" is a little crunchier than the harmony-heavy, lightly psychedelic debut.
The Blow Pops broke up in early 1995. Jarvis, Randazzo, and Rice went on to form the Lackloves, a superb power pop band that fulfills much of the Blow Pops' promise. Buckley moved to Richmond, VA, and followed a surprisingly different musical path, forming the neo psychedelic Maki. Jack Rice is now with The Carolinas.
Special note: Both albums are now out of print and not too easy to find. If you're lucky enough to find some copies, grab them as soon as possible. Try ebay, amazon or the bargain bins of your local record store.
Songs
Storybook / 7 Days With You / She Don't Need Me Now / Cleveland / I'm Seeing Love / Without Reason / Take the World / All Night Long / Halloween / Here Goes My Heart / Love to Tell / She's a Runner / Everyday Clyde / More and More / My Carrie / Bleary Eyes
8 comments:
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Damn you, angelo! Now that I've heard this album, I really want to hear "Charmed, I'm Sure" also!
Please tell me you're going to post that album too?
Can't wait to check these out. After hearing a BlowPops track on (I think) a Yellow Pills CD, I spent a few years keeping my eyes open for more. Never found 'em. Now I have.
Thanks,
Ace K.
Thanks so much for this! Such a great band! When i downloaded this it was only part 2?
Where can I find part1?
Thanks much!
kicks66
Never mind...in my excitement in seeing this...i missed the first link under blow pops.
Thanks again - I really appreciate this!
kicks66
1st album is here:
http://best-keptsecrets.blogspot.com/2008/06/blow-pops-charmed-im-sure-1993.html
The second link (to Sharbee) is not working. If you get the chance could you report. Thanks.
link updated
one link only, now
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