BABYS GOT A GUN - UP (1990)

As i didn't find any reliable info about the band, here's the review written by Valerie Potter and taken from the Vox magazine (February 1991). On the strength of that review with a note of 9 out 10, i eventually bought the LP, and if you carefully read the article, the band should have been HUGE...instead of what they totally disappeared. So what went wrong?, the artwork as pointed by Valerie Potter, the year, the record company, the band, the music or whatever...who can tell?... For now, you can watch a promo video of "Take The Ride" on YouTube and grab the album in either 320 mp3 or FLAC (44.1Khz/24bit), artwork included.

Vox (February 1991 Issue)

"Babys Got A Gun's debut detonation provides a timely lesson for up-and-coming bands on how to take your favourite records and build on them, instead of simply duplicating them. Ignore the sleeve with its illustration of a 70's Oi! band. These young Scots have taken their haircuts, cheery loutish attitude and killer choruses from generation X, while the stack-heeled stompin' rhythms, girlie backing vocals and smalltown, starstruck, angst-ridden emotion come courtesy of Ian Hunter and Mott The Hoople, not to mention a powerful production that's layered down to the depths of the Skids.
Tracks include straightforward rockers like "Take The Ride", "Boy About Town", "Come Back Baby" and "Heart Beats On", but the stand-out song has to be "Born Late '68", a restrained epic in which i counted musical and lyrical references to at least five Ian Hunter compositions, strung together with enough original input from the band to succeed as a stunning pastiche, as opposed to a blatant rip-off.
All round, "Up" is the most exciting debut i've heard for several months. Yes, there are weak points in the lyrics and rough edges on some tracks, but Babys Got A Gun have it all going for them; their songs are both aggressive and tuneful. Gary Borland's vocals are distintively gritty and emotive and the band possess passion and "attitude" by the bucketful. "Up" leaves a boot print embedded in your solar plexus - and a smile on your face. Valerie Potter

mp3: 320 (with artwork)
FLAC 44.1Khz / 24 bit: 1 - 2 - 3 (with artwork) (no audio winrar compression)

Songs
Up / Take The Ride / Come Back Baby / Heart Beats On / God Up There / Boy About Town / And It's Love / Born Late '68 / Seeker Parts 1 + 2 / Love Reprise

BACK OF A CAR (BOAC)

BOAC "Back Of A Car" was a fanzine launched by Judith Beeman in Vancouver. Between 1994 and 1997, three issues were printed (see "Lonely Planet Boy" inner sleeve). It's only one year later that Judith Beeman started to release those three fantastic compilations that can be ordered directly from Judith here.

LONELY PLANET BOY (1998)
"Lonely Planet Boy" (Judith Beeman's favorite New York Dolls song) was limited to a run of 1.500 copies and contained the beautiful "Country Morn" by Chris Bell plus four other heavyweights and a few originals specially written for this collection.


Details
Click here plus a Robin Wills review as featured in Bucketfull of Brains





TEENSTER (1999)
Judith Beeman followed up her first BOAC compilation, the Big Star homage "Lonely Planet Boy", with "Teenster" this tribute to the Seventies. The bands were directed to either cover a seventies song, or write a song that captured the feel of the decade. Bonus points for including cheesy high school picture of Judith on the cover.


Details
Click here






LOVE IT TO DEATH (1999)
Finally, the last BOAC collection was released in 1999 and was a riff on her fervent interest in Alice Cooper "Love It To Death". A salute to the rockers of the 70's. Mike Simmons of Sparkle*Jets UK fame designed the artwork.

Bands (Songs)

Jeremy (Little Willy) / Sackareen (Teenage Rampage) / Jeremy (Good Times) / Million Yen (Velveteen) / Camaro Hair (Delinquent Postmistress) / Squires Of The Subterrain (Umbrellas Open) / He Young Adults (Tomboys) / Love Kit (Tiger Beat Heaven) / Sparkle*jets U.K. (She's My Fave) / Dipsomaniacs (Student Driver) / The Rockinghams (Ho Chi Minh) / Johnny Popstar Luv Explosion (Guess I'm Just A Friend) / Gray Daisy (Tomorrow) / Star Collector (King) / Ian Marsh (Tie Me Down) / Tommy Flake (Vanished) / The Lackloves ( Angel Eyes)

TRIBUTE TO DEL-FI - DELPHONIC SOUNDS TODAY! (1999)

Coming on the heels of the first IPO compilation, Del-Fi released this tribute for which 20 alternative artists of the late '90s covered songs, from hits to rarities, released on Del-Fi in the late '50s and '60s. It celebrates Del-Fi Records' 40th Anniversary. Featured artists include Wondermints, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Single Bullet Theory, Jigsaw Seen, Baby Lemonade, Cloud Eleven and more.

Important note: The album was made available in 2 versions. The regular one was a single CD release while the promo issue had a bonus CD offering the original versions of the songs featured on the first CD. This is the 2CD set you can download here. The links are independent, so if you can choose between the originals and the covers, or both if you want the whole set, but remember, the complete artwork is included with the CD1 rar. Roll over the title to grab the links.

Click on pix for details of bands involved

CIRCUS - CIRCUS (1973)

For the ones who will remember it, the album had been previously posted on PPC in May 2007 in mp3. You can read more info about the band here on PPC. As this is my first try to offer some lossless audio rips, i'm waiting for your comments about it.

 ZS (210 mb)

Songs
Stop Wait and Listen / When I'm Gone / The Sea-Jonh's Fable / My Captain / Feel So Right / Don't You Worry / Lullaby For Michael & Lisa / I Need Your Love / Let's Have A Party

RAIDERS OF THE LOST HOOK - VOL 4 (2010)

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".

After the 3rd volume (2008!!!, it was a long long time ago) focusing on 90's power pop gems, this fourth volume compiles some of the best of the 70's-80's genre era, some bands might be new to you, but the hooks are here and stand the test of time.

Click on pix for details

VARIOUS - IPO VOL 1 (1998)

International Pop Overthrow (or IPO, as it has affectionately become known) is a pop music festival which has been held for the past eleven years in Los Angeles. IPO has been also held for various years in Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto, as well as in Liverpool, England (at the world famous Cavern Club)!

The story began in 1998 with the very first IPO album, "compiled by pop impresario David Bash, organizer of the IPO event in August 1998, this CD is one of the most consistent pop comps out on the market...that in a market full of great comps! Featuring music from the best of the Power Pop scene. 20 songs total and about as good as a representation of power pop with emphasis on the POP!. Consistently magical and worthy of pantheon status". Bruce Brodeen

ZS1 + ZS2 (531 mb)

 

Click on pix for details

THE PPC WINNERS
















Here are the final results.

1. The Ultimate Power Pop Guide
2. Tributes or not Tributes
3. Brian Wilsonesque: The Pocket Symphonies To God

4. Raiders of The Lost Hook
5. Tributes to The Fab Four
6. The B.G. Collection
7. Meet The Beatlesque
7. Powerpop To The People
9. The Advent Wall of Sound
10. The Christmas Collection
11. The Interstate Battle
12. Summer Songs

Thank you for all the votes.

VARIOUS - THE BAM BALAM EXPLOSION VOL 7 (2000)

Volume 7 was the ultimate volume of the Bam Balam Explosion series. It collected bands from the Mallorca area in Spain. Served by J. from Spain.

Click on pix for details

VARIOUS - THE BAM BALAM EXPLOSION VOL 6 (1999)

Penultimate volume of the Bam Balam Explosion collection. This very highly recommended compilation focused on European (Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, and more) power pop combos.

Click on pix for details

SKY (1970-1971)











Links removed: Don’t Hold Back and Sailor’s Delight have been released online, worldwide, on April 12, 2011, on the Zen Records label. The albums will also be available on burn-to-order CDs through Amazon’s CreateSpace division, complete with the original artwork. But no release yet of a Sky Bombers reissue

Doug Fieger: "I grew up in Detroit, yeah. I had a band called Sky, which I have a funny story about. I wrote a letter to the producer of The Rolling Stones and Traffic and Blind Faith, a guy named Jimmy Miller, when I was in high school. I said if you're ever in Detroit, come and hear my band. He answered the letter and came to my house and signed us. A week after I graduated from high school, he took us to London and we recorded our first album. About six months later, he took us back and we recorded our second album and it was pretty great. That's how I got into show business. I was seventeen years old. That band broke up unfortunately and it took me a number of years before I put The Knack together." More info on AMG.

Special note: None of the rips "Don't Hold Back (1970)" (mp3, 256) and "Sailor's Delight (1971)" (mp3 , 192) provided here are mine, i got them some months back then and are posted here for historical purposes only. One link for both albums.

Don't Hold Back (1970)
Goodie Two Shoes / Take Off & Fly / Rockin' Me Yet / I Still Do / Make It In Time / One Love / There In The Greenbriar / How's That Treating Your Mouth, Babe / Homin' Grounds / Feels Like 1,000 Years

Sailor's Delight (1971)
Make It Tight / Don't Work Nobody / Let It Lie Now / Taking the Long Way Home / Come Back / Bring It on Back / Tooly / Sing For Me / Low Down

THE SUNSET BOMBERS (1978)
After the break up of Sky, Doug Fieger moved to Los Angeles. It was there that he became part of the Sunset Strip proto-punk scene. He became bassist of The Sunset Bombers, a group which included Brandon Matheson (later of The Rubber City Rebels) on drums, Rick Armand on guitar,and Nick Armand on vocals. The Sunset Bombers were signed to Ariola Records America and put out one, self titled album in 1978. And yes, they covered the Radio Stars classic "Dirty Pictures".

Special note: Once again, this is not my rip, but a 192 mp3 rip with no artwork.

Songs

Baby It's You / Let's Drive Tonight / Suicide Kamikaze Girls / Gimme Some Lovin' / Guitar's Paradise / Drag Queen / B.F.D. / I Can't Control Myself / Dirty Pictures / Rockin' Forever

DOUG FIEGER - R.I.P. (August 21, 1952 - February 14, 2010)

THE PPC VOTES (see on the right column)

Over the past few years, i made quite a few compilations and i'd like to know your opinion about the bunch of the powerpop stuff provided here. Each collection focused on various themes, a few ones have been completed and are now closed (The Ultimate Power Pop Guide, The Beatles Tributes, The B.G. Collection...) some others will have (i sincerely hope so) further volumes if the blog is still alive and well.

COCKEYED GHOST - KEEP YOURSELF AMUSED (1995)

Consisting of singer/songwriter/guitarist Adam Marsland, bassist Rob Cassell, and drummer James Hazley, Cockeyed Ghost first made itself heard with the release of 1996's "Keep Yourself Amused", which was acclaimed by the music press and even hailed by New York Press as the "finest debut album of the rapidly aging year." The band promoted the album through two national tours including one opening for Shonen Knife.

Songs
About Jill / Disappear / At the Bookstore / Dirty Bastard / Keep the Sun / Call Me Charley / Married Yet / Using You / Dogs That Say No / Banished / The Lonely Ball

PARANOID LOVESICK - MOLLY (EP) (1995)

Rick McBrien, guitarist and vocalist for Cleveland's Paranoid Lovesick, died in 2003 of a apparent heart attack. A native of Detroit, Rick was one of the founding members of Paranoid Lovesick. The band was heavily influenced by The Byrds, The Raspberries, and Teenage Fanclub. After starting the band in 1994 with singer/songwriter/guitarist Bill Stone, the band released a 6-song EP entitled "Molly" in 1995 on Revolting Eye Music. Although the band had recorded 2 full length CD's since then, a rotating door of rhythm sections players and various problems kept the band from reaching it full stride. The band was able to contribute to various compilations (specially the "Badfinger Tribute") even as shows became fewer and fewer.

"Suburban Pop Allegro" and "Tuxedo Avenue Breakdown" can be purchased from CDBaby

Songs
Big Star / Perfect Timing / Universe Boat / Bliss / Thingmaker / Velvet

SUPERSCOPE - GENERALLY ELECTRIC (1995)

A fashion of heavy guitar riffs and power-pop harmonies became a part of Superscope's sound upon their formation in 1994. Combining the chemistry of Shane Bolton (drums), Kevin Borruso (guitar/vocals) formerly with Joe Algeri & The Stonemasons , and Gerry McAvoy (bass), Citadel Records first captured the trio's pop-metal hybrid on their 1995 debut of "Generally Electric" produced by Dom Mariani. But after contributing to two Bomp Record compilations in 1996 - "Windmill" on "Pop On Top" and "Windmill" on "Laugh While you Can" - Superscope took a six month hiatus while playing under the moniker of Reuben Kinkaide. Following their return in 1997, Spinning Top Records followed with the release of the 1997 EP "Popping Crease". They finally released their debut full length album "Torpedo" in 2002.

Songs
Home & Away / Replacement / Windmill / Dead / Cow / Constipate

VIVA SATURN - SOUNDMIND (1992)

After the first 12" EP (1988) and tightened up to a four-piece, the unprolific Viva Saturn finally released its debut album several years later, sounding like a slightly more energized West Coast version of Luna with mild shoegazer tendencies (and, in the memorably dispirited "Haven't Felt Like," a dusty '60s piano-pop affect). Firm songwriting and crisp drumming holds "Soundmind" together, as Roback's dreamy singing (supported by such guests as Barbara Manning, Chris Cacavas and Matt Piucci) and the layers of languid guitar could easily float apart into shapeless reveries. A remarkably calm and pretty record that masks its aggression in a delicate mix, the perplexing "Soundmind" soothes as it sears. Trouser Press

Songs
Still She Waits / Love the Sugar / Believe / Haven't Felt Like / Soundmind / Suicidal Lamb / Raised / Better Get Your Nerve / Paradise / Mermaid / Waiting for the Train

THE NEIGHBORS - POWER POP ART (1996)

After "Welcome Wagon" had been released, new songs were written, crappy jobs were attended to. Bass player Scott McKnight recorded the band on four-track (or was it an 8-track?). The outcome was "Masterpiece" tape, musically God-like but commercially ignored. Time passed and in 1989 The Neighbors split up. In 1996 the spanish label Bam Balam released a compilation of the first two LP's + the "Masterpiece" unreleased album.

Here are some notes by Scott McKnight
"The original band mixes of "Welcome Wagon" were shelved by Upside (the record company) in favor of mixes supervised by Upside. In some ways the Upside mixes were considered superior. In some ways, not. The tunes from "Welcome Wagon" and "Famous Potatoes" which appear on the Power Pop Art CD were remixed for that CD using mid-'90s gear rather than the mid-'80s gear used originally. The mixes of "Welcome Wagon" tunes on the CD are closer to the band's original vision than those that appeared on the album, as released. Not all of the tunes from "Welcome Wagon" and "Famous Potatoes" appear on the CD. Good luck finding the CD."

Special note: You'll need both parts of the rar to unpack the folder.

Songs (1 + 2)
Shadow Of A Fool / Valerie / Make It Alone / Running Away / You Like A Good Rumble / Will You Ever Come Down / I'm Right / Comeback / I Don't Wanna Say Bye-Bye / Two Ninety Eight / Hole In Your Life / Burst Your Bubble / Buckets / Somebody Else's Shoes / Everyone's Got One Lovin' Tonight / Gave You Up / Heaven / Coffee / Welcome Wagon / Inside & Out / Adolescent Fears / Sick As Fish / Hang Around / How Fun / Bus Song / I'd Go Crazy / Dig / Jennifer / Melt Me Down / Greatest Hits

GRAHAM ELVIS - NAKED YOUNG SOUL (2000)

Multi-Insrumentalist Graham Elvis is of Elvis Brothers fame. With a penchant for writing timeless melodies and a big, radio-ready sound, Graham Elvis is poised to make it big. His songwriting is straightforward and easily accessible, taking cues from the Lennon - McCartney, Rolling Stones songbook. The music is a stellar balance of guitars, drums and keyboards, and his distinct voice sets him apart from other mainstream rock acts. Similar Act's Radiohead ,Beatles and Velvet Underground, McCartney even Hank Williams. "Naked Young Soul" was released (or not) at the beginning of the century, actually this album appears nowhere at all and it seems it was a very limited release. Most of the songs were re-recorded later and are available on the excellent 2008 "Sure" album (visit cdbaby).

Special note: I got this album from a chicagoen area mate a couple of years ago with no further info.

Songs
Emotional Poison / Dreamland / You're Stupid And I Hate Your Friends / This Is How I Feel / She's A Scream / Lonely Bed / I'm Just Me / 930 / The Great American Acid Test

POPSICKO - OFF TO A BAD START (1994)

Popsicko were Keith Brown (guitars/vocals), Tim Cullen (guitars), Marko Desantis (bass) and Mick Flowers (drums). Combining the knotty, bass-driven rhythms of Southern California punk with the poetic fervor of early Cheap Trick sounds like an audacious idea. What's amazing is that Popsicko pull it off with charm and panache. Wait a minute, who ever heard of a punk band with panache? For Popsicko, that's an easy enchantment to deliver. The Santa Barbara-based group offers a heavy, punchy sound that is fashioned from the interplay between the group's members, a chemistry refined over four years time with surprising melodic resilience.

Their debut CD, "Off To A Bad Start" is a hard-charging collection of song sketches and sonic experiments that eloquently expresses singer Keith Brown's restless spirit. Yet ironically, the album's title now describes two unlucky events in the band's history. First, was Popsicko's great score of getting the chance to open up for the wily Meat Puppets; too bad the show date ended up being the day after the LA Riots broke out in 1992 (needless to say, attendence was hardly what they'd expected.) Then last year, right after the group signed to Smart Recordings and released "Off To A Bad Start". On November 7, 1995, Keith Brown was killed in a tragic car accident, devastating all who loved him and his music. Now the record is a thrilling legacy to the propulsive punk-pop project led by this talented singer

Formerly the lead vocalist of Pennywise, Keith Brown left that outrageous punk band he was a founding member of as a teen and relocated from the South Bay to Santa Barbara to attend college in 1991. There he hooked up with bassist Marko Desantis and the two started forming a most unusual band conglomerate--The Cardboard Superstars--something like an early Redd Kross with lots of Sparks and David Bowie influences sprinkled throughout their young pop songs. Later they transformed into Popsicko, with guitarist Tim Cullen adding searing melody to this strange arsenal of tunes, and drummer Mick Flowers' brutally swinging beats grounding them with a powerful punch.

Tim Cullen then formed Summercamp "Pure Juice" (1997) and went solo with the successful "Fun Razor" (2003).

The intense results of this musical mixture are now showcased on "Off To A Bad Start" with splendid momentum. Popsicko has managed to forge a new style from the raw material they loved during their youthful follies. And it's this distinctive way of making new pop music, eliminating the conformity of the mainstream and the predictability of plain punk, that gives Popsicko a strident edge. Source.

Songs
Nastassja / I Don't Need You / Ashtray Mouth / Dragging Me Down/ Some Mother's Son / Gettin' Used to You / Story / Distrust / Back It Up / Starless / Hard to Tell / To Would Have Beens

JOHN WICKS & PAUL COLLINS - McCABES, AUGUST 23rd (2009)

Paul Collins joined forces with John Wicks to go out on the road for to perform the highly successful House Tour 2009. On August 23rd they met at McCabes and those who attended the show were given a glimpse of things to come. John and Paul performed a few new compositions and were later joined by Peter Case for several memorable hits from yesteryear.

Paul and John have kindly allowed PPC & PPO to share it. Here's the first half of the recording from the show at McCabes. For the second half head over to the fabulous Power Pop Overdose blog and get it!

Things went extremely well with the 2009 House Tour, and John and Paul are hoping to do the same in 2010. Both John and Paul are recording albums over the next month or two and they'll be performing a few new songs this time round as well as the favorites we all know and love. f you would like information on how to arrange for a house concert with John Wicks and Paul Collins, contact Richard Rossi at martinitimerossi@gmail.com.

John and Paul doing Hearts In Her Eyes at McCabes

Also worth mentioning:
An online download of The Records Play Live Evanston 1980 is now available through John's website. Don't miss this.

John and Paul's house concert website:
www.johnwicksandpaulcollins.com
John Wicks' site:
http://www.johnwicksandtherecords.com/
Paul Collins' site:
http://www.thepaulcollinsbeat.com/

LMNOP - ELEMEN OPEE ELPEE (1986)

Stephen Fievet is LMNOP. Drawing from a consistent and seemingly bottomless well of neat melodies, memorable hooks and substantial personal lyrics, the one-man power pop auteur from Atlanta loads each perky studio arrangement with rich layers of guitar, harmony vocals and whatever else his febrile invention may contrive to add.

Following three cassette albums, LMNOP finally reached vinyl. The unfailingly perky "Elemen Opee Elpee" contains charming and provocative contemplations on mendacity ("Please Believe Me"), conformity ("The Big Ride"), world peace ("Breakfast Cereal") and the study of anthropology ("Comparative Analysis"), all sparked by crisp production and flawless playing. Anyone fond of Shoes, Advertising, Milk 'n' Cookies, Sneakers, Three O'Clock, etc. should find the record a most agreeable treat. Although LMNOP is clearly a one-man show, the drummer of a performing lineup did help on the record, and two non-participants are also pictured for confusion's sake.

Nine of the best tracks from "Pony" and "Elemen Opee Elpee" were added as a bonus, to the French "Numbles" CD edition. This is an essential introduction to Fievet's bent world of wonder.

LMNOP (291 mb)

Songs
Tapes / Like A Diatom / Please Believe Me / Constant Change / The Big Ride, / Wanna Write A Letter / Kaleidoscope / Escapes / Breakfast Cereal / This Is Logical Thinking / Semi-Circular / Impossible / Y? / Comparative Analysis / Sandwich Time For The Smaller Children

BRUCE JOYNER - HELLBOUND TRAIN (1984)

Bruce Joyner & The Plantations lip synch "Hellbound Train" for the french 80's music magazine program called "Musicalifornia". Short Bruce Joyner interview at the beginning, subtitled in french.

Special note: The video was transferred from the original VHS to DV and then converted from the uncompressed video to DivX 6.8 PAL with a two-pass compression. Time: 4'16 - Size: 50 mb.

POP GREETINGS VOL 1-3 (2000-2001)

Prior to the excellent Pop Greetings Vol 4 focusing on Swedish bands, Yesterday Girl Records released 3 volumes of Pop Greetings (limited edition of 500 each). Each volume was compiled by Stefan Johansson who is now recording with Joe Algeri. You'll hear some well known (and lesser known) powerpop bands hailing from California, Illinois and Minnesota. Stefan Johansson also compiled the "Pop Under The Surface" collection and worked with Jeremy Morris and Herb Eimerman as well.

Volume 4 released in 2002 was another collaboration between Zip Records and Stockholm's Yesterday Girl Records. You can order it here.

Vol 1 - California
The Shambles (Pretty Well It) / Peter Mardsen (Need This Girl) / The Retros (Girl) / Brian Jones Was Murdered (You And Me) / Bat Country (Can't Endure Anymore) / Dragsterbarbie (He's a Vegetarian) / Rachael Gordon (Fun At Your House)

Vol 2 - Illinois
The Critics (I Hate This Place) / The Shakes (Eternity) / The Disappointments (Someday) / Phil Angotti & The Idea (Better Day) / Ted Ansani (Have To Say) / The Shots (Ordinary Wrong) / Julian Leal (Again)

Vol 3 - Minnesota
Moneypenny (Ballerina) / Beatifics (Meantime) / Vandalias (Julie Come Around) / Todd Newman & Lori Wray (Bitter, Uncompromising) / Uberscenester (He Gets All High) / Jason Sack (Kinda Love) / Devin Hill (Good Friend)

SQUEEZE - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (1982)

Squeeze performed live at the University of California, Berkeley in 1982. The show was recorded for a special "Houba Houba" aired on several european channels. The show was aired on french TV in two parts, so the parts were stitched to get the whole concert.

Special note: The video was transferred from the original VHS to DV and then converted from the uncompressed video to DivX 6.8 PAL with a two-pass compression. Time: 33'27 - Size: 392 mb

A sampler (Tears Of A Clown) can be watched on the PPC Channel.

You need both parts to unpack the file.

Set (Part 1 & Part 2)
Mumbo Jumbo / In Quintessence / I Can't Hold On / Tears Of A Clown / Is That Love / Pulling Mussels From The Shell / Tempted / Mess Around / Rip It Up / Goodbye Girl

MARSHALL CRENSHAW - HOUBA HOUBA TV SHOW (1982)

Marshall Crenshaw live on french TV for the Houba Houba TV show. He performed "Someday, Someway" (mistitled again by the french TV!!) and "Soldier Of Love".

Special note: The video was transferred from the original VHS to DV and then converted from the uncompressed video to DivX 6.8 PAL with a two-pass compression. Time: 5'35 - Size: 65 mb

SILVER SUN - YOU ARE HERE (1997)

This Japanese-only ten-track album contains all the songs from their "Sun EP", and the "Lava" and "Last Day" singles. Early on, it's obvious that Silver Sun had their sound mapped out: surround sweet, catchy melodies with a wall of guitars that are set to stun. Falling somewhere between Cheap Trick and the Buzzcocks (with a touch of Teenage Fanclub), Silver Sun's songs, penned by James Broad, are strikingly powerful little pop nuggets that are hard and tough on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside. There are eight songs on "You Are Here" that didn't end up on their album, so collectors should take note. AMG

Songs
Last Day / Lava / Trickle Down / Thick Shake / Captain / Top Trumps / There Will Never Be Another Me / Gossip / Changing / Streets Are Paved With Tarmac

TRIBUTE TO BURT BACHARAH - WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS...(1998)

This Big Deal collection of Burt Bacharah songs by the company artists is a fitfully enjoyable collection of irreverent covers of classic Burt Bacharach songs. Some bands have reverence for Bacharach, others don't.

Click on pix below for details of the bands involved

SILVER SUN - B SIDES, RARITIES & DEMOS

Some "rarities, demos or b sides" by the amazing Silver Sun. This is the fifth volume of the bootleg series (9 or 10 volumes were available) sold on the Silver Sun website around the beginning of this century. A great collection of some of the best Silver Sun songs.

Tracks 1 & 2 are from the first ever Silver Sun demo tape.
Tracks 5 & 6 : recorded at River Studios when the band were still called Sun.
Tracks 19-22 : written around the time of Neo Wave but never released.

Special note: As previouly stated for the previous Silver Sun posts, i got this from the same mate a few years ago, once again i made a custom artwork.

Songs
She'll Do / Together Again / Streets Are Paved With Tarmac / Changing / Together Again (Studio) / She'll Do (Studio) / There Will Never Be Another Me / She'd Like To / Top Trumps (with Added Bridge) / Gossip / Captain / It Couldn't Be You / Saint / In Nature / Trickle Down / Fifteen / Missed / 17 Times / Cut 'n' Thrust / New To Me / Why So Blue / I Can't Wait

DAVID A.BURDICK - A MUSICAL HISTORY

This the official musical history of a power pop legend who has contributed to the genre for more than 25 years. First, all of you familiar with the blog have heard at least one of his songs as he has been part of some of the PPC compilations as David Burdick or his powerpop combo the fabulous "Sins Tailor".

You'll find a link directly given to the blog by Mr. David A.Burdick himself including around 60 songs spanning his musical carreer with his various bands. A special note has also been included within the rar file. If you dig jangle pop, twilley pop and any power pop stuff, you'll enjoy David Burdick recordings.

Here's the note written by David A.Burdick about his career
"most of these tunes are from live shows....demo's,cassettes and vinyl only releases from way back about 20+ years ago or more...........most have never ever been released anywhere in any form..( except for some "hyped to death" cd's )........some were released on cassette or vinyl...but only locally in either tulsa oklahoma.....or dallas texas......the two places i've mainly lived..........i've included some tunes by my friends...and fellow musicians i've worked with......some songs i am not on at all.......but they are by people i have been in bands with or have played with at one time or another and i consider them to be power pop classics...( and as such need to be heard once again )...even though never heard before by anyone outside of a few..........enjoy !!!!!"

"hey guys ..i hope you dig these ultra rare obscure power pop gems from my friends and bands....i know the files are huge but there are some real gems there for you..( and you won't find these anywhere else on the planet period !!!)( you won't believe "the jacks" and the "trey garitty" stuff )...i come here because this is THE place for power pop...and you guys ..of all the places on the internet ..really got your shit together...been lurking here for a while and have discovered great new power pop from the likes of "the mad"..."the toms" amd "the telepathic butterflies".......i really appreciate the recognition i've gotten here for my work.......and this is my legacy to you for that...........merry christmas............for some unknow reason tulsa oklahoma has been a touchstone in power pop......i have no idea why.....i hope i have somehow added to that legacy to some degree........i miss phil seymore...and if things had been different i might have been in a new band with him......tulsa and to a smaller part dallas.....has many unnoticed power pop greats.....and the ones i've been associated with are included in these songs.......anyway thanks for the recognition....and keep on rockin......."

love you guys
david a. burdick

Links
Mediafire : 1 & 2

If you like the music and you certainly will, you can support David A.Burdick
here davidaburdick@gmail.com at https://www.paypal.com/

The "Sins Tailor" CD can be purchased here at myspace or you can send an email to David Burdick to the aforementioned email.

SQUEEZE - LE PALACE (1982)

In 1982, Squeeze performed live at Le Palace in Paris . The concert was introduced on french TV as "The Last Concert ?" Actually, this was the end of the first impersonation of the band before the split. In 1985, Squeeze were back.

They TV show aired 5 songs of the performance, i guess this was the end of the concert as they performed "Rip It Up" (wrongly credited to the dynamic duo, as you can read it) and some of their most famous songs.

Special note: The video was transferred from the original VHS to DV and then converted from the uncompressed video to DivX 6.8 PAL with a two-pass compression. Time: 14'48 - Size: 173mb. The overall quality might not be of the usual standards of the PPC blog, but it is still a document rarely seen...

Set
Annie Get Your Gun / I Can't Hold On / Rip It Up / In Quintessence / Take Me I'm Yours

THE BEST OF THE 2009 ADVENT WALL OF SOUND

Just like every year since 2007, this is the time to post my own "best" of the Advent 2009. So, here's my subjective collection of the december harvest... Christmas Day included. 25 songs, 25 bands posted between the 1st of december and christmas...plus one hidden track.

I'd like to thank all the readers for their nice comments about this special feature. And remember, TRY SOME, BUY SOME...Long live Power Pop...

Click on pix below for details of the bands involved

HERE'S THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DECADE
The best way to celebrate the new decade.
(with a little help from a spanish mate)

# 013 (Expanded 2005)
RS1 & RS 2



Happy New Year 2010

Thank you for your support and your nice comments all year long.

Finally, please remember the dumbest password ever.....password

PPC BOXING DAY (2009)

You may know what "Boxing Day" is, but you might not know what "PPC Boxing Day" is. So, on the 26th of December, it is time to open some old boxes and grab what's inside. Here are the surprise gifts.

For the ones who could have previously missed something, here's the
The Complete Advent Wall of Sound 2009
(text link with the 25 A.W.o.S posts + Bonus CDEP)

For everyone, read below and grab what you want or need.
# 23
# 25
# 105
# 170
info here - click here
info here - click here
info here - click here
info here - click here
info here - click here
info here - click here
info here - click here
info here - click here

Enjoy until December, 31st.

THE KAVANAGHS - CHRISTMAS AGAIN (2009)

A special Xmas Gift for all the Power Pop addicts. This brand new single has been sent by The Kavanaghs. By listening to these two Christmas songs, you can feel all the fun the band had while recording them. All the influences (Beatles, Beach Boys et al...) you've have heard on their first album (still available) are all over the place. The spirit of Power Pop Christmas is here to stay with jingle bells, glockenspiel and good vibrations...Merry Christmas. Great artwork too.

You can download it here or directly from the Kavanaghs official website. You also can listen to it on the Kavanaghs myspace page.

CHRISTMAS DAY (The Advent Wall Of Sound Bonus)

clue: read here


Merry Christmas