jeff hill band - something's wrong with my baby 7"

     here's a fantastic powerpop record that was put out in 1979. after some a few aborted projects from various labels, the band decided to start their own label to put something out. too bad it's the only thing they put out before breaking up a year later. but i mean, that's the fate of so many great acts. the winner here is the extremely catchy a-side, super infectious. the flip is great too and worthy of an upload, but can't compare to the greatness of the first side. mandatory stuff right here.
01. something's wrong with my baby (just a classic.)
02. whatever she wanted (great too.)
the original is up there in price. luckily sing sing put out this much needed re-issue about five years ago, pick it up!

the records - s/t 12"

     the only reason i bought this was for starry eyes and that track alone. though i did assume there might be at least one other good track. but nope, mostly just boring stuff that leans more towards plain rock. i could have just bought the single version of starry eyes, but this was the same price. plus it was a last additional to a bunch of records i bought online from the same guy. anyway, this one track is worth it. great catchy powerpop track out of 1979.
04. starry eyes (super catchy.)
inexpensive record pressed in high numbers. the gate-fold does look nice.

ambulance - it's all up to you 7"

     another quick powerpop record. it's ambulance's only effort on wax, put out in 1980. the first track is good and all, maybe if the flip side was weaker i'd enjoy the first track a lot more. but the flip side is so damn catchy, it leaves the a-side in the dust. i actually remember radio heartbeat records was going to re-release this 7" along with an lp of never before heard studio cuts. unfortunately the label folded i guess, you can still see the promos on their stagnate site. they were also planning on putting out the unreleased stuff of the limit, which luckily cheap rewards records picked up on and put out. i wish someone would get on the ambulance unreleased stuff too, anyway.
01. it's all up to you (very good track, but nothing speculator.)
02. i remember (fantastic, classic.)
so yeah, sing sing came in and did put out the great re-issue that you see here (but not the unreleased stuff). the original goes for insane amounts of money.

the bats - popgun 7"

     this is prefect powerpop right here. released back in 1980. the only thing i know about these guys is that they were young and from connecticut, and that they released an lp that i've yet to hear. both released on gustav records. chronic disorder, one of my favourite bands, released their first lp on that same label. a-side is a great catchy song and the flip side is fantastic beatles cover. just great all the way through. i remember seeing a connecticut punk documentary and sadly i don't think these guys or chronic disorder were mentioned.
01. popgun (super catchy.)
02. tell me why (my only negative is that they didn't go high at "anything i can do.")
sing sing put out a great as always re-issue of this a while ago.

the retreads - would you listen girl 7"

(((re-post from 12/04/13)))

     one of the best beatles type 7"s out there. this great single was released in 1981. they came together for their love of the beatles. check out the bored teenagers site for some great band memories and photos, plus an early band rehearsal. when 1977 records put out the re-issue, the band reformed for a few more shows with all the original members. i really wish there was more recordings of this band. for this 7", they put out two original numbers, and a beatles cover. the two originals are fantastic, just flawless. the beatles cover is good, but the song just isn't one of my favourites of the beatles.
01. would you listen girl(super catchy.)
02. one after 909 (alright cover, just not that enjoyable.)
03. you said you knew (great song.)
you can get the re-issue put out by 1977 records.

boyfriends - first single 7"

(((re-post from 11/30/13)))

     this one's got one of the catchiest songs i can think of. amazing powerpop released in 1982. boyfriends came from the uk and broke up after the release of their single. a-side is the killer here, just a perfect song. the flip side is slower, but great too. nothing else to say, this is essential.
01. boyfriend (insanely catchy.)
02. give a little, take a little (more laidback, but great.)
1977 records put out a re-issue.

rip off records - compilation 12"

(((re-post from 11/23/13)))

     time for my first 12" post here, and it's gonna be a little long. hands down, one of my favourites collections of songs ever out on vinyl. this fantastic powerpop comp was released by sing sing in 2010. sold out pretty fast, and you can see why. this comp collects songs from some rip off label 7"s, as well as some unreleased stuff. ireland's rip off records was formed in 1978, and lasted two years. they issued only thirteen 7"s and two comp records, and those records are pretty pricey, if you can even find them at all. the bands on the label were much older then others, and you really can tell in the musicianship, and the fact that most of the songs are about women. sing sing really went for it and got the founder of the label to unleash some unreleased songs, and those songs kill just as much as the others. completely essential powerpop, you need if you don't have.
     first band up is the zipps, their tune is my second favourite, and a great one to start with. next is lenny and the lawbreakers. two tracks by them, suzy 'd' being the great one. the other one they supply is my least favourite of the record, it's a cover track and it's just not that good. next up are minor classics with two killer unreleased tracks, catchy as hell. next is pretty boy floyd and the gems, with a kind of weird tune, steams like a much different style then the rest, but it's good. next is tinopeners with two unreleased tracks as well, both killers. next is the faders with an unreleased track, good stuff. next is no sweat, which are easily the best band on here. their track is so damn amazing, one of my favourites of all time. next is clive culbertson, who was the lead in no sweat. so you know this track is fantastic too. lastly is cramp, with one of the catchiest songs here, just flawless.
01. the zipps-friends (super catchy.)
02. lenny and the lawbreakers-suzy 'd' (nice.)
03. minor classics-you'll never find love (love the vocals.)
04. pretty boy floyd and the gems-sharon (weird but good.)
05. tinopeners-i want you (so great.)
06. the faders-in it for the kicks (love it.)
07. minor classics-i don't like girls (vocals again.)
08. no sweat-start all over again (just flawless.)
09. lenny and the lawbreakers-me and bobby mcgee (very weak.)
10. clive culbertson-time to kill (classic.)
11. cramp-she doesn't love me (should be a classic.)
12. tinopeners-i don't wanna be (great ender.)
it's actually not that easy to track down these days. it sold-out a long time ago.

the heat - instant love 7"

(((re-post from 11/21/13)))

     up here now is some powerpop. great little cheapo record, released in 1978. pretty sure this is their only release. super catchy on both sides. instant love is a really great song, but this time i like the flip better. the saxophone on high school sweater makes it, and the vocals are so catchy. kind of a weird looking cover. the back of the cover is great though, it reminds of last stand's just a number 7".
01. instant love (solid song.)
02. high school sweater (super catchy.)
it's available cheap on the net.

the moderns - ready for the 80's 7"

(((re-post from 11/12/13)))

     the moderns play top notch powerpop out of sweden. this was the second of their two 7"s. this one being released in 1980. not as good as the first, simply because this one's only got two great songs, opposed to the other that has four great ones. they also released an lp on a major label, but i've yet to hear it. if it's anything like this, it must be great. i can't decide on which side i like better. might give the edge to the b-side on this one.

01. ready for the 80's (super catchy.)

02. identity (might like this one a bit better.)

that famous label out of japan re-issued this, so get on that. 

quick fox - pretty baby (tonight) 7"

(((re-post from 11/04/13)))

     up now is a little bit of unknown. quick fox were from massachusetts and released this little gem in 1982. that's pretty much all that's known about this band. i've never seen this 7" available for listening anywhere on the internet. so here are both sides in their low-fi goodness. the first side being the killer here, great powerpop and super catchy. the other side being a more beatles type song. it's actually pretty catchy and enjoyable. too bad it's acoustic. enjoy!
01. pretty baby (tonight) (tops stuff.)
02. never gonna' love her (if they added drums i feel it would have been way better.)
comes up every now and then for not too much.

x-wires - all that i've got 7"

(((re-post from 11/08/13)))

     here is some more kinda unknown powerpop. it came from new york and released in 1982. i've never seen this for sale anywhere. there is only one sold copy on popsike, and it went $90, way way more then i paid. so i really don't know how rare it is. anyway, the a-side here is a great powerpop track. if you ask me, the b-side is just bad, so no need to include it here.

01. all that i've got (catchy stuff.)

02. fun fun weekend (bland.)

copies of this don't turn up too often. 

the cold - take all the time 7"

(((re-post from 11/17/2013)))

     just like the last band i posted, the cold were from new orleans. they released this 7" in 1984 and i think was the last of their releases. i believe they had multiple 7"s and an album on top pop records. i much prefer their first 7" to anything else they did, but unfortunately i don't own it. the a-side is a little jerky powerpop song with catchy vocals. the b-side is a cover of an old 60s song.
01. take all the time (feels later than '84.)
02. i go to pieces (it's good, but i do prefer the original.)
doesn't pop up for sale much.

rottweiler - i'm down 7"

(((re-post from 11/10/13)))

     just a killer one here. hailing from sweden are rottweiler. powerpop released in 1980. the singer here has just a fantastic voice, it's so addicting. i've heard many are not too keen on the vocals, but come, they're great. the a-side is the tops here. the b-side is pretty good too, but not as catchy.
01. i'm down (just flawless.)
02. wanna be your friend (good, not great.)
the fantastic label out of new york, sing sing records, re-issued this, so buy it there.

culture shock - forever + ever 7"

(((re-post from 06/02/13)))

     a canadian classic released in 1983. what a release it is, powerpop extreme. the title track is one of the best songs to come out of this country. super catchy and really packs a punch. the flip side however, isn't as good. it's still pretty good but there is just something missing. but it doesn't matter anyway, the a-side would just demolish any song that would come after it. that label also released a cd with a bunch of extra tracks, which i'd love to hear, but i'm not buying a cd. if they released it as an lp i would have. but anyway there is a sample of one of the songs on their site. the song is it's not true. it's super catchy and i wish it was the b-side to this 7", but oh well.
01. forever + ever (a classic.)
02. thought you were a friend (pretty good.)
re-issued on 1977 records, so get it there.

The Fans-Givin' Me That Look 7"

now for some killer powerpop. The Fans formed in 1978 in england. apparently they were pretty popular in the UK. i can see why. this is fantastic powerpop. great vocals matched with great fast instruments. the band only released two 7"s which both are great. this 7" was released in 1979 on Fried Egg records. the one i have is the re-issue by 1977 Records. they are a Japanese record label. they have released tons of classic 7"s however they are pretty expensive, for a 7" re-issue. but i got mine for cheaper elsewhere. most 1977 Records records are limited to 300 on black and 100 on some colour. so most of their earlier releases are impossible to find. so you have to buy them when you see them. so yeah, this is a very catchy record, get it.

a-side

1. Givin' Me That Look 5/5 (fantastic. love it all the way through.)

b-side

1. Stay The Night 5/5 (equally great.)

2. He'll Have To Go 3.5/5 (a little less good.)

overall: 8/10 strongly recommended

buy it if you find it, it won't be as easily available forever.

(((DOWNLOAD: MUSIC---SCANS)))

Peach Kelli Pop-S/T 12"

people flipping through my records would have no idea what music i listen to if they just look at the cover of the records. this LP stands out the most of any of my LPs. the picture doesn't really show how pink this thing is. blinding pink. look at the cover, Peach on the beach. but i really like the photo on the back the best. check it out in the scans. well what we have here is an extremely (sometimes power) pop record. all the songs were written by her. she is the drummer for the amazing band White Wires as well. check out the great insert for more info. this was released on Going Gaga records out of Ottawa. this was limited to 500 and released in 2010. it is sold out from the label but i got my copy from Allie not too long ago. she is saving the remaining copies for their tour. a second press is coming soon. on this album, every song stays in your head. really catchy. i think every song was recorded somewhere else too. get this!

1. do the eggroll 5/5 (great! this is the song that got me into this.)

2. doo wah diddy 5/5 (sooo catchy, my favourite track.)

3. guy 4 me 5/5 (great.)

4. lover 5/5 (it's all great.)

5. bunny luv 5/5 (so great!)

6. girls of summer 4/5 (little less for me.)

7. knockout 5/5 (nice.)

8. badd news 5/5 (second favourite track.)

9. not your girl 5/5 (great.)

10. eenie meenie minie moe 5/5 (calm.)

overall: 9.8/10 strongly recommended

i can't praise this enough. love it.

(((DOWNLOAD: MUSIC---SCANS)))

Stolen Hearts-Heart Collector 7"

let's lighten the mood around here with some absolutely killer powerpop. one of my favourite powerpop 7"s of all time. it's that great. Stolen Hearts are a mix of males and females and they released this in 2009 on, what else, Douchmaster records. limited to, i have no idea. i think they are from Atlanta. really catchy powerpop with female vocals. i got this in a trade with Grave Mistake. i first heard these guys from the Douchmaster blog. they have an mp3 of a song off all their released records. i can't say anything else. this is great! please someone tune me in on when they are gonna release something else.

1. heart collector 5/5 (dynamite.)

2. fire 5/5 (my favourite! love this track! so catchy.)

3. in and out 4/5 (a little less great, but still good.)

overall: 9/10 strongly recommended

buy this from the link above now! it's a must have for all powerpop fans.

(((DOWNLOAD: MUSIC---SCANS)))

Bad Sports-S/T 12"

well i'm back from being sick the whole past week. i finally feel like posting again. i've been sitting on these rips of this record for a while now, just never cut up the tracks. but now i took the time to do it so here i am. what we have here is some great powerpop, or something. it's hard to define this record, so call it whatever you want. this was released on the great Douchemaster records in 2009 on my birthday. i think they have released other stuff. everybody trades vocals, great stuff. i got nothing else to say, i've got homework to do, enjoy.

1. face like that 3.5/5 (decent song.)

2. sinking you 5/5 (best track. so catchy.)

3. on video 5/5 (like it.)

4. i need it 5/5 (great. really like this guys voice.)

5. she'll never get out 3/5 (decent.)

6. nothing but agitation 5/5 (love it!)

7. and it goes 3.5/5 (good.)

8. too many people 5/5 (nice.)

9. last cigarette 5/5 (like this too.)

10. progress man 5/5 (love this guys voice!)

11. won't let you win 5/5 (four killer tracks in a row.)

12. payback 4.5/5 (very good.)

13. why say don't 4/5 (little breakdown.)

14. should've known 3.5/5 (good.)

overall: 8/10 strongly recommended

buy it from the link above, and lots of other DM titles. they release top quality new powerpop.

(((DOWNLOAD: MUSIC---SCANS)))

Baby Shakes-S/T 12"

here's one for elliott's return. we were talking before on what was the most poppiest records we had. well this tops the charts for me. this might not be for the usual followers of this blog. maybe Frank would like it. i will get back to punk in my next post. anyway, i really love this record. released in 2008 on Douchemaster records. apparently they were from seattle, then moved to atlanta, then onto NY. they have released two 7"s and a 10"s as well, i think. no it's not just the three girls on the cover. it's actually those three and a guy on the drums, but i don't think the drummer is ever constantly the same guy. really catchy rhythms with great female vocals. i picked this up for $5 with a ton of other Douchemaster records off some guy. thank you who ever you were.

1. hello hello 5/5 (great opener.)

2. far away 5/5 (guitar is great and vocals and drums.)

3. what can you do? 5/5 (nice.)

4. now i know 5/5 (chorus.)

5. on my way 5/5 (first song i ever heard of them and still my favourite.)

6. ooh la love 5/5 (when they go high vocals, great!)

7. love machine 5/5 (at first this was the other track i didn't like, but now it's one of my favourites.)

8. come on, babe 5/5 (just a joy to listen to.)

9. tell me now 5/5 (drumming is great. fastest track they do.)

10. just another 5/5 (vocals!)

overall: 10/10 strongly recommended

you can buy this and a shirt directly from the band here: Baby Shakes! not sure on where to buy their other records, they are out of print, so. well, that's it.

(((DOWNLOAD: MUSIC---SCANS)))

The White Wires-WWII 12"

..............(still holding my breath)...............THE WHITE WIRES!

here you have it, the greatest release of 2010 (posted on the first day of 2011). The White Wires are from Ottawa. they have released some 7"s and a 12" on Going Gaga records. it was limited to 300 and now goes for big money. it was however re-issued on Douchemaster records, but even they have sold out of it. other distros still have it though for cheap. anyway, this is great all the way through. it's so catchy. a lot more drive then on their first LP. great gritty production on this one. this was released on Dirtnap records. 800 on black vinyl and 200 on white vinyl. i ordered the black vinyl because i like it better then coloured vinyl, but they sent me the white anyway. oh well. they are sold out of the white edition, and in quite a short time. no, i wasn't lazy and just used the download card's download. this is ripped straight from the vinyl. nothing else to say, this is essential.

1. let's go to the beach 5/5 (hooks, so catchy.)

2. roxanne 4.5/5 (just a bit weaker, but still great.)

3. did you forget my name 5/5 (vocals.)

4. i can tell 5/5 (i love the chorus.)

5. just wanna be with you 5/5 (chorus again.)

6. be true to your school ('til you get kicked out) 5/5 (nice.)

7. popularity 5/5 (great.)

8. hands 5/5 (such great vocals.)

9. are you mad 5/5 (fastest song, great drumming.)

10. outta my mind 5/5 (good.)

11. summer girl 5/5 (good too.)

12. bye bye baby 5/5 (nice instrumental song.)

overall: 10/10 strongly recommended

buy this from the Dirtnap link above. it is a must. happy new year by the way. my main watch for the new year is the Night Birds LP. and i was talking to Isaac of The Reactions and he said to me that they are going to re-issue their two 7"s, "Official Release" and "Love You." powerpop gems.

(((DOWNLOAD: MUSIC---SCANS)))