BEST OF THE REST
Other new releases out this month.
Secret Affair
So Cool: The Very Best Of EDSEL
Of all the non-2 Tone ’79 mod revivalists, Secret Affair were the most artistically ambitious, which only seemed to irritate the contemporary media, and this 34-track double set (Glory Boys, My World, debut hit Time For Action et al) retains a timeless verve and swagger. 7/10
Eddie And The Hot Rods
The Singles 1976-1985 CAPTAIN OI!
Now this, or at least half of it, is essential. What happened between Dr Feelgood and the Sex Pistols? This. Maximum R&B at The Marquee for a whole new generation. Teenage Depression. Live At The Sound Of Speed EP. Do Anything You Wanna Do. You need this. 9/10
Abrasive Wheels
1981-1984 CAPTAIN OI!
Like most Punk And Disorderly-era bands Leeds quartet Abrasive Wheels call to mind Slaughter And The Dogs after too many espressos. There are two LPs, attendant singles and more on two CDs. They slept on my floor in April ’83 and were surprisingly tidy. 7/10
Various
1980: Brand New Rage CAPTAIN OI!
Hearing punk luddites (Anti-Establishment) alongside the new decade’s progressive post-punks (Adam & The Ants) is a bit like watching Neanderthals taking on homo sapiens in an inventing-thewheel contest. Sadly, these three CDs feature more of the former than the latter. 6/10
Sons Of Adam
Saturday’s Sons: The Complete Recordings HIGH NOON
Irredeemable Anglophiles Sons Of Adam were a big deal (as a support) in mid-60s LA. Future Blue Cheer guitarist Randy Holden features, and they released some neat seven-inchers, but as a 1966 support Avalon show proves, they weren’t the ace live band history claims. 6/10
Various
Garage Psychedelique (Best Of Garage Psych 1965-2019)
TWO-PIERS
An excellent multi-generational collation of quality monoxide-fuelled psych that, over four sides of vinyl, pulls together key recordings from influencers (Count Five, Sonics, Squires, MC5) and influenced (The Hives, Oh Sees, Pond, Moon Duo, Tame Impala) alike. Trippy. 8/10
Supergrass
Supergrass (Deluxe Expanded Ed.) BMG
There was always a glam rock exuberance about Supergrass which was in many ways their best quality. If In It For Their Money was their T.Rex album, the self-titled ‘X-ray Album’ occasionally borders on Bowie. An overlooked gem, veritably bloated with extras. 8/10
Various
High In The Morning: Prog Pop Of ’73 GRAPEFRUIT
For old lags this three-CD set is an irresistible trip down memory lane, for curious neophytes a priceless voyage of discovery. Come for Mott’s Memphis, Manfred’s Joybringer, SAHB’s Swampsnake and Quo’s Caroline and stay for Kevin Coyne’s Marlene. An utter delight. 9/10
Misty
Here Again GRAPEFRUIT
Classically inspired organ-led proggers Misty were managed by Michael Grade, who sold them hard and dropped them fast. Unsurprising, really, as they sound positively archaic by comparison to their Zep/Crimson contemporaries on this previously unreleased 1969 LP. 6/10
Status Quo
Quo’ing In: Best Of The Noughties EARMUSIC
Four songs in, there’s a 2010 re-recording of In The Army Now. And a version of Raining In My Heart with Brian May. There’s even a 2022 retread of Paper Plane. Quo need to show more confidence in their second century here; 35 tracks and no Heavy Traffic? Ludicrous. 6/10
The Mutants
Curse Of The Easily Amused LIBERATION HALL
1977 vintage San Francisco punks The Mutants should be great. You want them to be great. But like so many West Coast punk bands of their era, they just sound unconvincing. Like a band who saw photos of the Sex Pistols and fancied having a go. Great name, though.4/10