VARIOUS - IPO VOL 7 (2004)

At last, here's IPO Vol 7, maybe the trickiest to find. David Bash compiled 3 cd's, introducing some of the finest on the indie pop scene. Only a limited supply was made available to those who couldn't attend the festival (a little less than 500 copies). As usual there's a large mix of previously released songs, but more than half of these were unreleased or rare trax. Volumes 1 to 6 are still available on PPC.

Links: CD1 - CD2 - CD3 (Complete artwork included)

Click on pix below for details

DANCING HOODS - 12 JEALOUS ROSES (1985)

Formed on Long Island, Dancing Hoods (following a self-released eponymous EP) debuted with familiar-sounding heartland rock on "12 Jealous Roses", a confident and likable collection of tuneful originals. Singer-guitarist (and future A&R executive) Bob Bortnick, guitarist-singer (and future Sparklehorse leader) (Freddy) Mark Linkous and bassist-singer Eric Williams (who actually has the most writing credits here) pen simple rockers about the usual topics and deliver them in a melodic cut-to-the-chase style that isn't all that dissimilar to, say, the Del-Lords. In 1988, the Dancing Hoods released their second album, "Hallelujah Anyway". "Baby's Got Rockets" was somewhat successful on college radio. The group then moved to Los Angeles to look for a major-label deal. However, they were unable to find one and the band split up afterward. Mark Linkous & Sparklehorse developed a cult following that renewed interest in the Dancing Hoods. Trouser Press

Special note: This is a brand new rip which comes complete with the usual full set of artwork suitable for jewel case CD. It has been made with a little help from an old fellow partner, powerpopster to the core. It is now available in lossy and lossless formats.

LINKS: mp3 (320) or FLAC

Songs
1. Pleasure / 2. Impossible Years / 3. Build a House / 4. Blue Letter / 5. Girl Problems / 6. Surfing All Over The World / 7. Bye Bye Jim / 8. Watching You Sleep / 9. (Take My) Chances / 10. She May Call You Up Tonight / 11. Wild and The Lonely

TRIBUTES OR NOT TRIBUTES VOL 6 (2011)

This is Volume 6 of the ever popular collection of covers. As this one is free, i won't say it is number 6 of the "Tributes or not Tributes" series. So, almost a year after the successful Volume V, this new compilation brings 51 artists covering some of the best power pop acts we all love. There's even a cover song by the artist who originally wrote it in the 70's and finally released his own version in the 90's.

Two links: 376mb. They include the full set or artwork (booklet + inner + inlay + tray).

CD1 + CD2

Previous collections are still available.

2006 - Tributes or not Tributes

2006 - Tributes or not Tributes Rewind

2008 - The Return Of Tributes or not Tributes (500.000 Blog Fans Can't Be Wrong)

2009 - Tributes or Not Tributes...Strikes Back

2010 - Tributes or Not Tributes V

Click on pix for details of the 51 bands involved

THE SUPERNATURALS - SITTING IN THE SUN (1994)

The Supernaturals began their musical career in the summer of 1993 as a 5-member indie band from Glasgow. They played their first ever gig at The Ferryboat Inn , Skye Bridge, The Kyle of Lochalsh. After having begged, borrowed and cajoled money from parents, friends and girlfriends they put out two EPs (now hard to find) on their own OFL (offal) Records. In November of 1995, the band signed on with Andy Ross of Food Records. They released two brilliant albums filled with beautiful pop melodies, "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" (1996) and "Tune A Day" (1998) before making a radical shift in direction with their disappointing third and final album "What We Did Last Summer" (2002). The band split the same year.

Songs
Sitting In The Sun / Absence / Caroline / Slab / Godfrey / I Don't Think It's Over / Silverback

THE LAST - GIN & INNUENDOES (1996)

The first LP in seven years by this underappreciated L.A. quintet resembles "Confession" (1988) and "Awakening" (1989). It's still not as good as their exceptional "L.A. Explosion" (1979), the unreleased "Look Again" (1980) -- hey SST! Issue this! -- and French import "Painting Smiles on a Dead Man" (1983), yet it's miles better than 99 percent of today's guitar pop. Singer/guitarist/songwriter Joe Nolte perfected this style two decades before it became cool, and shows no signs of having misplaced anything during the layoff. The music is crisp, the lyrics astute (no one is immune to the uncomfortable "It's Not That Way," where the singer is paralyzed by fear on how to turn a platonic relationship into a physical one). Add brother Mike Nolte, still rounding out the effortless, trademark Nolte harmonies, and a broader palette, and Gin makes six for six. On the minus side, a few lesser tracks could have been edited, but on the plus side, sympathetic producer Earle Mankey, a Paisley Underground legend, is more versatile than Descendents/All drummer Bill Stevenson, who did the last two. Mankey mines a deeper bass sound and lovelier shimmer for the pretty tracks, which hearken back to their vintage brilliance, "Sirens," "Song/Unordinary Substance," and "You Won't Win." Give The Last a chance if it's the last thing you do. AMG

The Last released another album in 2003, "Joe 'n' Mike", which is available directly from Joe Nolte. Support the band and click here

Songs
Drywood Town / Sleep / It's Not That Way / Sirens / Don't Make No Sound / Song - Unordinary Substance / Guls / 7-21 / You Won't Win / Let There Be Naz / Withdrawal / Blessed / The Time is Gone / Look For Me / Slug / The Time Is Gone (Reprise)

SPUNK - ORIGINAL VINYL EDITION (1977)

Spunk is the title of a bootleg album by a famous band, originally released in the United Kingdom during September or October 1977.

The album comprises studio demos and chatter recorded during 1976 and early 1977, while original bass player was still a member of the group. Most of the songs would later be re-recorded and officially released on the group's debut album.

The original Spunk was itself copied and bootlegged immediately upon release. The tracks have since been re-bootlegged countless times in many different formats, including a widespread variant called No Future UK, which added three extra tracks, and many releases by Dave G., which often feature evidence of remixing or other post-production tampering. Spunk has also been the subject of several official releases.

Here's my vinyl rip, and please read carefully the info below
lossy (mp3)
lossless (flac)

According to some sources, the LP i have ripped is the original SPUNK. The fact is that i bought the LP in 1977 after i'd read the Chas De Whalley feature. All i can say is that i have listened to the 1996 limited edition of "NMTBHTSP" which had Spunk as a bonus CD - and this 1996 CD reissue had edited some short talks of the band (specially at the beginning of "Lots of Fun")

As i've read the same matrix numbers shown below on my copy, the original copies can be identified by the matrix numbers engraved in the dead wax.

SIDE 1
matrix number LYN 4732-111 + BLA 169-A
SIDE 2
matrix number LYN 4733-111 + BLA 169-B

Special note: This vinyl rip was made in 24 bit/96khz then dithered and resampled to 16bit/44.1khz with iZotope RX 2. It is now available in both lossy and lossless versions and comes with the usual set of jewel case artwork (this comes in plain white sleeve just like the original LP). The original Sounds' feature (October 1977) written by Chas De Whalley has been joined.

Three weeks ago, I have shared this vinyl rip on a registered website, it has been grabbed by some members, here are some of their comments about it.

comment #1
The rip of the original vinyl is the one to grab. None of the CD releases sound like it (nor as good). Thanks!

comment #2
your vinyl rip slays!!!
Thank you. The only CD that sounds good is the 2001 Castle, and your vinyl beats it.

So, now you have some info about what you can grab here in either lossy or lossless formats.

ROOGALATOR - PLAY IT BY EAR (1977)

Roogalator, fronted by Danny Adler were one of the fixtures on the London pub rock scene of the mid-'70s, at the same time establishing themselves among the most un-pub-like bands on the circuit.

In November 1975, the band recorded demos for United Artists Records and met Robin Scott, who would become their manager, producer and record label chief. Roogalator recorded a John Peel session on 13 May 1976, and embarked on a European tour. The tour was marred by the band having all their possessions stolen from the van, and both Watts and Irwin departed to reunite with Paul Riley in The Sinceros, a band the bassist was now managing.

Encouraged by his manager Robin Scott, Adler recruited a new rhythm section; bass guitarist Julian Scott (brother of Robin) and drummer Justin Hildreth.

In early summer '76, Roogalator signed a one-off single deal with Stiff Records and released "All Aboard" / "Cincinnati Fatback". The band continued gigging relentlessly returning to the BBC for a second John Peel session on 28 October 1976.

In 1977, the band released another one-off single, "Love And The Single Girl", on Virgin Records. They declined a recording contract with Virgin who had insisted that they also sign a publishing contract in addition to a recording contract. The band returned to the BBC for a third and final John Peel session on 16 August 1977.

The band released their debut album,"Play It by Ear" (with re-worked versions of the Stiff single), in 1977 on manager's Robin Scott's Do It Records label, essentially an opportunity to preserve the band's repertoire on vinyl. The album was well-received but suffered poor sales.

ZS (350 mb)

Songs
Get Ready For The Get Ready / Magic Oooeee / Cincinnati Fatback / Sweet Mama Kundalini / Mind Breeding / Walking In The Heat / All Aboard / Water / Love And The Single Girl / Sock It To My Pocket / (If You Don't Like Smelling It You'd Better) Stop Selling It / Change