#jangle pop

Does there really need to be anything more written about this record? Critics the world over have sung its praises, and today so will I. 

Basically to say I was an idiot. In 1984 when Let It Be was released I was 20 year old and way to immersed in the fine sounds of bands like Minor Threat (who had already broken up), Adolescents (same), Descendents (same) and 7 Seconds (and, to be clear, all still favorites of mine) to really appreciate what was happening in Minneapolis ('cept I loved Husker Du). 

I put it on back then, and the first song, "I Will Dare," and it just didn't resonate with me at the time. Eventually, a few years later, it did (thank god). 

Anyway, I love a lot of the Replacements' records, and we all have our favorites, and Let It Be is still my favorite. What do you call it? Punk? Post-punk? College rock? Jangle pop? It's all of those and more.

"We're Comin' Out," "Unsatisfied," "Sixteen Blue," "Answering Machine," "Androgynous," and yes, "I Will Dare," etc. etc. 

So yeah, Paul, Tommy, Bob (RIP), and Chris really made a very special record here that I'm glad I finally came around to loving it.   

Always glad to see that the Sunday label is still kicking and going strong. Having said that, I enjoyed this San Diego duo's Lost and Found LP from a few years ago.

This is an excellent noisy dream pop tune with lots of bells, whistles, and bright lights. In other words, right up YOUR alley.

They have a forthcoming album Supercassettevision out soon. 

www.sundayrecords.bandcamp.com

The Lucy Show (UK 1983-89)

It's really good to have the UK indie pop band Lovejoy back in action (ok so they've been back in action for quite a while now). Richard "Dick" Preece is still leading the show here and it's another terrific song, 

It's got a nifty, rolling melody complete with handclaps, jangly guitars, and an overall sunny feel to the whole thing. A truly lovely song.

The album Under the Weather will be released on July 31st, 

www.shellfliferecords.bandcamp.com

www.spinoutrecords.bandcamp.com

It was the beginning of the pandemic lockdown, and DC musician J. Hunter Bennet (he plays bass in the terrific DC combo called Dot Dash) was looking for something to do. If you remember lockdown, we were basically stuck in our homes. 

Apparently Bennett lived on or near a pretty busy street corner in the Chevy Chase area of Washington, DC. Apparently lots of other indie music types lived in the area or near there, too. 

Bennett decided to put up (or at least fill up) one of those little street corner boxes where you can take a book and leave one if you want. Bennett started filling it up with punk rock books and then started asking friends to do the same. Then he started doing a newsletter that got quite popular. 

I know from this review so far it might not sound like something that's super readable, but Bennet has such a flair and way with words that the book flows together perfectly (which includes the newsletters plus essays, interviews, photos, etc). It really is highly readable and pretty awesome (Bennett also did a fantastic book on Circle Jerks bass player Roger Rogerson on this same Microcosm imprint). 

Eventually, the idea/newsletter ran its course, but it was fun while it lasted, and it seemed like for a while, that The Nevada Avenue Outdoor Bookshop was THEE place to be during the pandemic. 

Extra, extra, read all about it right here!

I still need to fully delve into this ultra fine Philly band's catalog but what I've heard I've really like in a Teenage Fanclub soaring, melodic pop kinda way.

This new cut is more of the same as leader Matt Scottoline and other guitarist Justin Fox trade dueling guitars (and I really like Scottoline's vocals) while the rest of the band does their part (and very well might add). 

The full album, Zoned Out, will be out this Friday (out yesterday), and it should be a nice little chunk o' pop gold. 

www.hurry.bandcamp.com

www.lame-orecords.bandcap.com

I don't know if this was the first issue of Jack Rabid's Big Takeover, but it was definitely one of the first ones that I got. 

...and it is still going! Jack and his crew just published the latest issue which looks much different than this (now it's glossy, mostly color and 200 pages).

This one was photo copied (maybe offset printed) and 22 pages and you see the bands on the cover (bands that Jack still writes about to this day). 

In those 22 pages it's crammed to the gills with reviews, both records and live shows, and plenty of photos as well (in fact there's a pic of the Milo of the Descendents from their show at City Gardens in July of 1986....that I was at...it was first time I saw them). 

Jack's intelligence, knowledge, wit and sheer enthusiasm has always come through in his writing, and nothing has changed in the past 40 years. 

Oh,and you can still order the old back issue of the Big T. just go to the website below and see the treasure trove (and a photo of Felt!)!

www.bigtakeover.com