Kevin
Mathews:
July,
2003

So Much Music, So Little Time

Spent the better part of a Saturday afternoon in May trying to sort out my CD collection and I discovered one thing - I have too many CDs! My aim was to alphabetize my collection in order to improve accessibility and to get a better idea of what CDs I actually possessed. I think I succeeded, thank God, though I had to wonder about the amount of time I had actually invested in listening to these hundreds of singles, EPs and albums. On this issue of time (which remains a integral part of the title of this column), I also realized that perhaps I never did spend as much time as I would have liked assessing the relative value of a disc and sometimes reviewing the review I had previously submitted. But that’s the way it is, I suppose. Still, apart from the odd anomaly, I often get the general view right so no real harm done and it’s only an opinion, right? Right?

This time out, I’ve decided to focus on a particular label (or two) who have been kind enough to send me quite a few discs and it made more sense to do them all in one go. So…
Sounds of the Subterrania is a neat power pop label out of Germany and if you’re wondering exactly what kind of power pop can possibly come out from Germany, read on…

RACHEL GORDON The Coming of Spring

Power pop fans will absolutely adore Rachel Gordon. Backed by great musicians and songwriters (drummer Victor Penalosa, keyboardist AJ Croce & guitarist Frank Barajas, not to mention the fabulous Chris Von Sneidern), Gordon has assembled a collection of the finest examples of the genre - Von Sneidern’s “Dream Away” is a gem.

THE NUGGETS Are the Alchemists of Music!

The moniker is a dead giveaway to what you can expect from the Nuggets - competent facsimiles of 60s-styled garage psychedelic rock. So, the swirling organs is a given, the sludgely guitars a must and the Rickenbacker 12-strings are a sheer joy to behold. Fans of that special era in rock will thoroughly dig this admirable evocation.

TIPTOPPERS Packed to the Rafters

Hang on, boys and girls, make sure you’re strapped in cos once Tiptoppers rev those engines, there’s no stopping them! Imagine the Ramones fronted by lower register German-accented Joey Ramone and you’ll have a good idea of what Tiptoppers are about. No quibbles with the energy quotient here - Hey ho let’s go pogo!!!

COLUMBIAN NECKTIES Why Change Your Moves?

C’mon, anything those Scandinavians can do…the Neckties are probably Germany’s answer to the garage revival that the likes of The Hives, Hellacopters & Flaming Sideburns have become fairly well known for. Throw in some old school punk and KISS decadence (“Hot Butt Love,” “Tits ‘N’ Ass,” “Assmaster” & “Wankers Day”) and the down and dirty picture is complete.

I gather you get the general idea. Interested? Check them all out at www.soundsofsubterrania.com

The Bus Stop label (www.busstoplabel.com) - the brainchild of Brian Kirk - has recently increased activity with numerous singles, EPs and yes, albums, which I suppose you could say, operate across a fair pop spectrum though often gravitating towards the twee. See what I mean…

JASMINE MINKS I Heard I Wish It Would Rain

This three-song EPCD is the Minks latest chapter in their comeback effort after an 8-year hiatus. Twee pop gets a hearing here and you’ll no doubt spot traces of Vic Godard, Pale Fountains, Blue Aeroplanes etc Jazzy folk-pop that will sooth any jangled nerve. The highlight here is the jocular “Learn to Suffer” with its rock ‘n’ roll drum synth and melodica. Cute.

HELLFIRE SERMONS Hymns: Ancient and Modern

This British band is one of many who failed to make the grade despite possessing the talent and ability that deserved much more attention than it ultimately received. Reminiscent of the Smiths, Pale Fountains and Subway Sect, Hellfire Sermons never managed a full-length release and this collection contains mainly all their 7” singles, compilation tracks and unreleased recordings. Fans of post-punk Brit-rock will enjoy this.

JOHN MOREMEN EP

Great to get hold of more Moremen (Sorry…couldn’t resist). It’s been too long since Moremen blessed us pop lovers with the effortlessly breezy grace of his vibrant, melodic pop - 1997’s And The Sun Shines in fact. Well, there are no duffs here as each of the 4 tracks will undoubtedly raise spirits and lift hearts. Especially love the dynamic “From the Outside” and the fragile “Cemetery Row.” Gorgeous.

BRONZE The Statue in the Stone

Paul Handyside, out of 80s indie guitar rock outfit Hurrah!, is the force behind this outstanding Britpop trio. This debut full-length is prime power pop of the highest order as Bronze suggest the Byrds, Big Star, Elvis Costello, Teenage Fanclub and Velvet Crush with authority on sublime songs like “Let It Rain,” “Presence of Greatness” and “How Long.” Recommended.

Portland’s Jim Huie believes in “putting the paisley back in underground” and his label Paisley Pop (www.paisleypop.com) is the living proof of that commitment. Specializing in powerpop, alt-country and jangle pop (can you say The Byrds?), Paisley Pop releases seldom disappoint, to wit -

THE WINDBREAKERS Time Machine (1982-2002)

This essential compilation collects all the vital highlights of the Bobby Sutliff/Tim Lee collaboration that rivaled REM, dBs & Let’s Active for its Byrds ardor. Between Sutliff’s powerpop leanings and Lee’s country preferences, the Windbreakers provided a refreshing take on the Byrds modus operandi. Significantly, the two new tracks - “Time Machine” and “Basket Case” are not shamed by the company they keep and suggests that there may yet be another album from the Windbreakers sometime soon.

THE BROKEN HEARTS Want One?

Observant powerpop fans will recognize that the Rooks’ Michael Mazzarella and Pat Yourell cut their teeth in the early 80s with this obviously new wave-influenced outfit. This CD reissue features the 1985-released record as well as 11 bonus tracks. Anyone who likes the Rooks will enjoy the simple tuneful fun that permeates this disc as Mazzarella & Yourell together with Tom Bittel and Jamie Beckett parlay a blatant Merseybeat inspiration into lively slices of pop magic. Highlights include the jumpy “When I See You Looking My Way,” the beaty “Tuesday Evening Girl” and the instructional country folky demos (“That Kind of Girl,” “Not Really In Love”) that close the bonus material.

THE SAVING GRACES These Stars Are For You

The Graces alternate between brazen rave-ups, breezy pop and baroque folk shoegaze. Okay, the first two you know. As for the last, the beautiful “Song For Anyone Else” recalls the Pernice Brothers, Starflyer 59 and Neil Young’s “Expecting To Fly.” No mean feat! Elsewhere, “Idiot Proof” is effervescent, “The Things That Make You Strange” is pure Kinks, “Girl Automatic” is classic Cheap Trick whilst “Sad Golden Waves Goodbye” is certainly imbued with the glimmering melancholy of Big Star. Don’t mean to quibble but I would love to see the Graces pursue the direction of that lovely opener. A good start nonetheless.

TIM LEE Under the House

Even as erstwhile Windbreaker partner Bobby Sutliff has returned to recording with two excellent albums, Tim Lee proves with Under the House that the muse remains strong. As Lee sings in the opening “Keep It True” - ‘After falling off the face of the earth/Gotta keep it true.’ And certainly, Lee does exactly that, true to his country roots as these ten tracks can be best described as stridently alt-country. Neil Young, Steve Earle, Dylan & Tom Petty are significant signposts in Lee’s agenda with heartfelt lyrical expression a critical factor. Alt-country lovers will not be let down.

As you can see, these independents labels are very much what the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll is about. Creativity, fun and artistic expression. So, please give them your full support, y’hear. Before I sign off, any labels out there want to be featured in the same way, here’s a hint - four or more CDs…till next month...

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