The Flamin’ Groovies – I Can’t Hide (1976)

Nothing worse than having to work on a lovely hot sunny day and nothing worse than reacquiring the hay fever that I thought I’d ditched around 10 years ago. Actually, I’ve had a bit of a hokey cokey relationship with the condition over the years – no symptoms ever until my mid 30s, ridiculously bad until I was 50, then all quiet until now as I gracefully approach the big 6-0 ….

Anyhow, I nipped out at lunchtime to get some tablets which have to cause drowsiness to have any effect in my view. As advertised, drowsiness was the subsequent result but I managed to keep my work together until the end of the day and am looking forward to a good sleep tonight.

A few months ago, I decided to ditch all my CDs by The Flamin’ Groovies on the basis that they aren’t a great albums band. However, they have released some killer singles and I’ve been acquiring these on my medium of choice – peerless 7 inch vinyl.

Their career high point is, of course, the unimpeachable “Shake Some Action” (previously posted here) but this is right up there. “I Can’t Hide” is a perfect power pop anthem featuring Beatles-esque phrasing during the verses, Byrdsian harmonies during the chorus, a whiff of The Who in the twangy lead guitar line and more than a hint Dee Dee Ramone in the bassline that underpins the guitar solo.

What’s not to like? Genius steals, etc.

Just wonderful.

Play loud!

The Vapors – Turning Japanese (1980)

I was really sad to hear that Wilko Johnson had died yesterday.

I’ve previously posted two tracks on the blog featuring his outstanding rhythm guitar playing with Dr. Feelgood. Check here for “Roxette” and here for “Cheque Book” which I posted on the day in January 2013 when it was announced that Wilko had been diagnosed with late stage pancreatic cancer. Thank goodness that the cancer turned out to be less aggressive than originally feared.

Anyhow, back at the World Cup, after yesterday’s epic surprise of Saudi Arabia beating the much fancied Argentina, today served up an almost equally surprising defeat of Germany. Given the identity of their opponents, it was inevitable that I would have to post the new wave classic “Turning Japanese” by The Vapors – a band first spotted and later jointly managed by Bruce Foxton, the bassist in The Jam.

The preponderance of goalless draws in Qatar is rather driving a coach and horses through the effectiveness of my fantasy football methodology. Happily, Spain seem to be playing to form as I type and there might be some cash on its way later as a result!

1980 was one of my favourite years for music and I’ve posted a number of songs from the year on the blog. One that is tenuously relevant to England‘s thrashing of Iran on Monday is “Last White Christmas” by Basement 5 which might feature the only reference to Ayatollah Khomeini in a UK Indie Chart record? You can find it here.

Here’s the original video for “Turning Japanese”.

Play loud.

The Bevis Frond – Lights Are Changing (1988)

The new house is nearly finished.

The old relationship is just the past.

So many people have been so kind over the last few months.

Those months have been a blur with no time to think or read.

And as things settle down, I’ve now found time to start reading again.

But I’ve also found time to start thinking again.

There’s a massive hole in my life that I need to work out how to fill.

You can see as many people as you like as often as you like but, when they’ve all gone home, you’re back on your own.

I need to pin down my new purpose and meaning.

In the meantime, why not listen to this?

An utterly perfect jangly guitar power pop type tune from 1988.

The best record Teenage Fanclub never made.

The lights are changing.

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – American Girl (1976)

I had my second dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine today and I’m pleased to report that, since my first inoculation back in March, I’m pretty confident that I’ve not contracted the virus and I’ve certainly not needed to be hospitalised. Jab done ….

I’ve had a fairly quiet day.

A little bit of work but a lot of reading.

I finished off the second half of last week’s Economist, read the whole of this week’s Spectator and devoured another 60 pages of Craig Brown‘s superb book about the Beatles “One Two Three Four”. In the latter, we’re up to the end of 1968 and, spoiler alert, Yoko Ono is not coming out of it well and neither is the fab four’s business acumen. Who knows, if their original Apple Corps had been better run, Steve Jobs might have had to come up with a different brand name – “Lemon”, perhaps?

Maybe not …..

Anyhow, I was delighted that the original 7″ single of Tom Petty‘s timeless “American Girl” turned up in the post today – it’s an all time power pop classic and immediately received several plays. It’s a toss up for me whether this is his best tune (and taken from his debut LP) or whether “Free Fallin'” from 1989 just shades it (check here to make the comparison).

Either way, “American Girl” is a classic part of the rock canon and I’ve chosen four versions to showcase. First is the LP/single take, then live on the Old Grey Whistle Test from 1978, live on US TV from the early 1980s and, finally live at the American Band Aid gig in 1985.

Perfect (power) pop music – play loud!

The Diodes – Tired Of Waking Up Tired (1978)

I chose this song last night in anticipation of a further deterioration in my body’s response to Thursday’s Covid-19 vaccination (see here for details).

However, after yesterday’s “chills” (described here), I slept pretty well after all and I’ve been largely on top form this morning.

Nonetheless, this welcome recovery doesn’t provide enough reason not to post this classic piece of Canadian power-pop. “Tired Of Waking Up Tired” is a long forgotten new wave gem by The Diodes and features an outrageously catchy chorus and a superb rumbling bassline underpinning the chiming guitar. What’s not to like?

Anyhow, I’ve had to get this post in a little earlier in the day than usual as I appear to be fully booked to sit in front of the television for the next 9 hours or so (maybe I should be sponsored?)

The “sportsfest” kicks off with the low key FA Cup game between Bournemouth and Southampton at 12:15 before the deciding match of the India versus England T20 cricket series gets underway at 13:30. Somehow, while that is going on, I’ll need to follow the Scotland versus Italy rugby match in the Six Nations to keep an eye on a few players in my fantasy rugby team. I’m hoping that the cricket will have finished in time for me to see the start of the Ireland versus England match in the Six Nations at 16:45, though I’m clearly going to have to delay watching the Everton versus Manchester City game in the FA Cup which kicks off at 17:30. With some sort of break for dinner, I need to have finished watching both the cup match and the England rugby international to then decide which match to watch live at 20:00 – there’s the Six Nations decider between France and Wales or the Premier League clash between Brighton and Newcastle. I’m almost certainly going to go with the rugby though I’ll need to keep an eye out to see whether Lewis Dunk keeps a clean sheet in the Brighton defence – he’s my captain in a number of my fantasy football teams ….

This televisual scheduling challenge would appear to make sorting out the logistics for D-Day look like a mere bagatelle ….

Hopefully, I’ll end up going to bed “tired but happy” and, in the morning, will avoid “waking up tired”.

The original single and then a fantastic one-off reunion recording on Canadian TV in 1999!

Play loud.

Matthew Sweet – Come To Love (1995)

I’ve started to work backwards (alphabetically) through my drawers of CDs featuring artists beginning with the letter “S”.

Almost immediately, this has paid dividends as I “restumbled” upon Matthew Sweet‘s fantastic 100% Fun LP released in 1995.

It’s an absolute power pop classic and might well be worth shelling out for the vinyl album – got to give it one more listen to confirm.

The LP is notable for the presence of Robert Quine and Richard Lloyd alongside Matthew on guitar duties. They are two of my all time favourite guitarists – for evidence, check here for Quine playing on Richard Hell’s wonderful “Time” – I did think that I would also add a link or two to Richard Lloyd playing alongside Tom Verlaine on some tracks from Television‘s era defining Marquee Moon LP (as good as any album ever released!) Astoundingly, I’ve somehow failed to post a Television track and so, mental note, I’m going to have to rectify this tomorrow.

Anyhow, this is splendid and is only marked down because: (a) it is too short, and; (b) where’s the soaring guitar solo?!

It’s Robert Quine playing guitar on this one.

You try to win
At a game that has no winners
You try to learn
When nothing can be understood
You try to feel
When all feeling is gone

And you come to love
What you used to hate
You come to find
What you threw away

Perfect power pop. Play loud!

Nick Lowe – Cruel To Be Kind (1979)

I’m struggling to understand how I hadn’t already posted this on the blog.

Nick Lowe‘s “Cruel To Be Kind” is a power pop classic whose credentials for this honour are clearly established in the first 20 seconds of the song.

Acoustic guitar, bass and drums just build and provide the perfect overture to Nick’s entrance.

A much inferior version of the tune was released as the B-Side to Nick Lowe’s “Little Hitler” single in 1978.

I simply can’t imagine why that might have sunk without a trace …..

Nick Lowe’s best composition, in my opinion, was the stunning “What’s So Funny (‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” first released by Nick under his Brinsley Schwarz guise in 1974.

The only problem for him is that the definitive reading of this song was subsequently released by Elvis Costello. For conclusive proof of this opinion, check here for an earlier post on this blog setting out the evidence!

No matter, this is timeless suff and perfect pop music.

The original video, then a Top of the Pops appearance in 1979 and, finally, an engaging solo version from a few years ago! 

The Flamin’ Groovies – Shake Some Action (1976)

I’m struggling to understand how I haven’t already posted this on the blog!

This is an absolute “power pop” classic and one of my favourite songs of all time! Jangly guitars, driving bass, killer melody and inspired vocals. Sure, the genius of The Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, etc, was on the rise at this time but this song is right up there!

Flamin’ Groovies were actually formed in the USA in 1965 but it was only after Chris Wilson replaced Roy Loney that they shifted direction to adopt the power pop stance for which they are best known.

Like so many great records of this time and of this genre, the song was produced by the great Dave Edmunds.

Play loud and smile.

 

ABBA – Suzy-Hang-Around (1974)

Heard this for the first time last night and, endless plays later, it is elevated into the pantheon of the bestmusicofalltime ….

This is ABBA playing Big Star: chiming guitars, killer harmonies and a song about the travails of childhood … (check here for Big Star’s “Thirteen” for comparison).

At first blush, the lyrics, below,  might be interpreted as a rather twee story of a nine year old girl not getting to play with her friends. However, this is clearly a searing critique of the endemic problem of school bullying in Sweden in the mid 1970s – a cry for help on behalf of a lost generation. Probably.

Anyone, it’s a stunning pop song; Benny Andersson’s finest moment?

Look for a friend of your own, Suzy-hang-around
Better come back when you’re grown, Suzy-hang-around
Nobody wants you around here and that’s for sure
So get off our playground and stay away
That’s all that we’ve got to say
Suzy-hang-around

Sniff ‘n The Tears – Driver’s Seat (1978)

So, having posted Sonic Youth and The Carpenters, I was considering what wildly clever segue would lead me into some viscerating noise/angst fest that would gain admiring nods from the non-existent followers of this blog. Just to show that I really mean it man. Like.

Then I thought, No! What we need is a spot of powerpop. In due course, this blog will be covered in powerpop from Big Star through the Nerves, The Cars and Bram Tchaikovsky. However, I am dipping my toes in with Driver’s Seat by Sniff’n the Tears. I nearly didn’t, when one of these cursed websites suggested it was Steve Wright in the mornings favourite record. But, I am assuming that this is one of those Roswell style hoaxes that the young people of today go for. The main merits of this track are: (a) it has three chords; (b) I can just about play them; (c) it is relentless. I believe the relentless genre will one day catch on. Among the finest relentless songs are “Human Being” by the New York Dolls and the next two posts in this, the web’s least popular blog, ever…

The original then live on Dutch TV in 1980!