Modslist Music Picks page for November/December, 1995.

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T.G. Sison - (agsison@ucdavis.edu):

The Kinks - Something Else By The Kinks"
Not to much to say here. The Kinks were one of the best groups ever. This album contains some of my favorite Kinks songs such as "Situation Vacant" and "Waterloo Sunset."

The Zombies - "Greatest Hits"
They only put out two albums, and almost all of it is here. "She's Not There," "Tell Her No," and "Time Of The Season" are here but even those aren't the best tracks. Listen to "I Love You" and you'll see what i mean.

The Buzzcocks - "Singles Going Steady"
I don't know exactly what power pop is, but this is how i imagine it should sound. The first half of the album is classic and is enough reason to buy it. Don't pay attention to the last half, though. There's not much there.

Cardinal - "Cardinal"
I think that's the title. Anyway this is one record that i listen to every couple of days or so. This was a recommendation to me from a friend of mine who said they had beatles and beach boys influences.

Blur - "Special Collector's Edition"
While i am disappointed with their latest disc, _sce_ is one of my favorites. It's amazing that some of these songs were b-sides.

Barry Neuman (modcult@bway.net)
http://www.bway.net/~modcult/

The Jam - "Shopping".
It's a melancholy but moving song which reminds me of the early 1960's British cinema. It has a cool jazz sound. The lyrics make me think about of a scenario of young, ambitious Britons going down to High Street to buy clothing that will make them look handsome and express the type of high self-esteem they have in themselves and provide them with means of crossing over into a higher social class. The song also plays out the subtle human drama of one's going out of the local neighborhood and into the center city and experiencing the uncertainties of entering a significant and new environment and--with a newly found humility--subjecting oneself to interacting with the self-assured clothing shop sales staff (who may have a haughty disposition). The song brings to mind the black-and-white films that featured English streets that may have been traversed by a young Michael Caine, Alan Bates, Peter Sellers, Lynn Redgraves, (not-so-young but younger-than-now) Alec Guinness, and some of Harold Pinter's characters.

Daryle Maciocha (SIWP06.NMAA.DARYLE@ic.si.edu):

John Barry - 'The Knack and How to Get It (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)' (1965)
The music for Richard Lester's fabulous Mod film. 12 variations on the theme using strings, hammond organ, glockenspiel and bass to create an album of jazzy, bluesy, swinging pop lightness the way only John Barry could do it. Brilliant!

Jane Pow - 'Love It Be It' (1992)
Great Moddish pop. Incredibly varied, taking cues from 60's pop (Beach Boys, Nazz, Beatles). The album is a swirling soaring record with lots of boisterous sounds and lovely mildly psychedelic acoustic bits.

The James Taylor Quartet - 'The Money Spyder' (1993)
All instrumental rocking soundtrack to an ersatz 60's spy movie.

The High Numbers - 'Who the Fuck?' (c. 1979)
Great bootleg LP of early Who stuff, including the first two High Numbers singles "I'm the Face" and "Zoot Suit" as well as demo versions of "My Generation," "Summertime Blues," "Pictures of Lily," etc. AND recordings for Radio One, turning "My Generation" into "My Favorite Station" and "Happy Jack" into a 9 second advert "Happy Jack had some fun/here on Radio One" ba-dum, end.

Booker T. & the MGs - 'McLemore Avenue' (1968)
The Stax house band does an (almost) all-instrumental version of the Beatles' 'Abbey Road' LP in its entirety, changing only track order so the songs fit into side-long medleys. 'McLemore Avenue' is the street in Memphis, TN where the Stax Records headquarters were located. Anyone who's heard Booker T. & the MGs' version of "Something" (on most of the greatest hits collections that have come out on CD, most recently the one on Rhino Records) have only skimmed the surface.

Brian Poust (MADNESS@UNIVSCVM.CSD.SCAROLINA.EDU):

Ocean 11 - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Southern California has had a toe hold on the trad. ska sound for years, and Ocean 11 carry the banner higher than just about anyone. Their sound does complete justice to the style and feeling of original ska and rocksteady groups, and how can you go wrong with Greg Lee and Alex Desert of Hepcat singing on a few songs?

The Prisoners - A Taste of Pink
So it's from 1982, so what? This is a perennial favorite of my turntable, even if it isn't the best executed record of all time. These were 4 smart young lads who definitely deserved more than they got. One of my fave. 60's garage records ever.

Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
"What's Going On" may be more of a recognized classic by Marvin, but "Let's Get It On" carries just as much emotional weight any day of the week. Hands down, the best make out record of all time.

Elvis Costello - Armed Forces/Get Happy
In order to keep myself from writing volumes about the man, suffice to say that brilliance only scratches the surface. "Armed Forces" is pure anger, but with style, and "Get Happy" is still one of my favorite post 1970's soul records. To say respect is due only begins...

John Patton - Boogaloo
Part of Blue Note's recent vault clearing escapade, Boogaloo is one of Patton's best. It drips with more soul and funk than the law should allow and I can't beleive it took Blue Note nearly 30 years to let this album see the light of day. John Patton's Hammond playing should be an inspiration to any James Taylor Quartet or Booker T. fan.

Richard Karstroem (rkarstro@cap.se)

The Soul Survivors - Express Way to Your Heart
released in 1967. A real groovy number with nice traffic sounds, a wonderful organ, and a singer that sounds like he really means it! Should get any Northern Soul lover out on the dancefloor in a jiffy!

Jimmy Smith - The Cat
released in 1964 Not strictly Acid Jazz, more like a struttin' and really fast cool TV series theme song. Written by Lalo Shifrin and being from the movie "Joy House", the fact that is sounds like a theme song isn't that weird, as it actually is. Trivia fact - Lalo Shifrin has provided music for a few Clint Eastwood movies as well.

Dionne Warwick - You'll never get to heaven
released in 1964 Music by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David, need I say more really? Well, it's a good song to hear while standing at the bar, sippin at a cool drink and getting ready to hit the dancefloor. You can almost forgive Dionne for the dreadful "That's What Friends Are For". Hey, I said almost, only almost.

Edward Bogle (BogleEdwa@urvax.urich.edu)

The Who - "A Quick One"
1995 Remastered CD Edition, MCA Records This is the remaster of the original 1966 album as well as some unreleased tracks and tracks from the "Ready, Steady, Who!" EP of 1966. The original album typifies The Who at the height of their mod, Anglopop style, and with the expanded tracks, this new CD becomes a mod Who-fan delight. Another great thing about this disc is that the sound quality is superb because of the remastering job that was done on it. This CD is probably the best one I own, and believe me it has competition.

The Who - "Sell Out"
1995 Remastered CD Edition, MCA Records Again, this is a remaster of a Who album. "Sell Out was released in 1967, and it can amost be considered a work of art. Arguably the first concept album, it is one continuous stream of music, linked by small advertisments for such products as Rotosound Strings, Radio London, Premier Drums, etc. The idea is that you are listening to a radio station. The tracks are an eclectic mix typical of the Who. There are psychadelic pieces as well as pounding rockers, and soft acoustic numbers right before loud electric numbers that just take right off. The unreleased tracks that appear on the disc are particularly interesting, not to mention excellent. Again, as with "A Quick One," the quality of the sound is great.

The Creation - "How Does it Feel to Feel"
1990 CD Edition, Demon Records The Creation has a very loud, often raunchy sound. The lead guitar often sounds like it's being played through a broken amp. But no matter what, the sound is very unique and I personally think it's pretty cool. The lyrics are usually good as well, and the sound quality is nothing to complain about. I would characterize The Creation as sort of a cross between The Who and The Kinks (actually, the lead guitarist was asked to be in The Who!), so if you don't like that sort of thing, stay away. Overall, it's a damn good CD, and there are only a few tracks that I don't care for.

The Beatles - "Live at the BBC"
1994 CD Edition, EMI Records The Beatles. That's probably enough right there. This is a collection of old tracks recorded from the Beatles BBC radio show from 1962-1965. The vast majority of these are old R&B, and rockabilly/country tunes with a handful of Beatles originals (nothing you haven't heard before, though). The covers are great, and I actually like the Beatles' versions of a bunch more than I like the originals. Besides the fact that the music is great, it's fun to hear the Beatles banter between tracks, and also te hear their original sound. I highly recommend this one of rpeople who like original style American rock and roll a la Buddy Holly, Elvis, Chuck Berry.. or for people who like The Beatles. If you're either one of those or both, you'll love it.

The Kinks - "Tired of Waiting for You"
1995 Special CD Edition, Rhino Records Early Kinks at its best. There's a couple quick riff tunes, as well as some slower riff tunes, and of course a slower more satirical piece. It's a lot cleaner than The Creation, but not a clean sound at all. It's that classic Kinks guitar sound. The only thing that's not so great about the album is the fact that it only has ten tracks. But at a good, price, it's worth it. I definitely recommend this one for anyone who likes The Kinks or just a post-Beatles, non-Liverpool style of music.

Dave (Steevn@aol.com):

Herman's Hermits - "Last Bus Home"
Next-to-last album on their LP "Blaze" (1967, I believe), has a good, solid pop sound, but without the bubblegum feel of their better known singles. Much more like The Jam than "Mrs Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter."

Working Week - "Rodrigo Bay"
I know absolutely nothing about this band, other than this single which appears on the soundtrack album from "Absolute Beginners." Fab song, though... very cool early 6ts feel, jazzy and mod through and through.

Shriekback - "Nemesis"
Yeah, I know it has nothing whatsoever to do with mod, but it's a great song. Had to include it.

Marcus Ransom (s923990@minyos.xx.rmit.EDU.AU)

The Breadmakers - 12 More Miles To Midnight.
Cordouroy Records. Mono! Melbourne's own Louisiana swamp pop band. Piles of Slim Harpo covers such as "do the hipshake" and "breadmaker".

Little Murders - Things Will Be Different
Au-go-go Records. Melbourne's eighties mod "revival" band that made it to the mainstream charts and provided us with our theme song that still gets played by all the bands over a decade later. Power pop to the core.

The Squad - Totelly Live
Electrically recorded live at the Tote in Collingwood, Melbourne. The squad are the band who have played more gigs since they split up than when they were officially together. "midnight hour" ala the Jam, plus some energetic Power pop "cortina mk III" and some originals.

Blurboy@aol.com

Comet Gain - "Casino Classics"
I've had this one for several months now, but i've been listening to it a lot again...very good, has some nice organ playing...

The Clique - Bareback Donkey Riding single
Very good, has a version of otis reding's "security"...i'm keen on getting the lp soon...

Blur-The Great Escape
It's an alright album, not meant for the mod's list in fact but it's pretty good...a bit of a let down maybe...

Michelle (Tracee150@aol.com)

The Jam - "Liza Radley"
off the The Jam Extras This song to me is very beautiful and I think it is ultra cool because I could not find it on any other Jam album or single. I think it would be right up there with "English Rose".

Squire - "Does Stephanie Know"
Off a mini single I picked up in San Francisco that was on red floppy vinyl. Unfortunately my X got it in the divorce. Personally, "Squire" is one of my favorite Mod bands. They are just very hard to find here in the states.

Smashing Pumpkins - "Landslide"
off Pisces Iscariot I know this song is a remake and I accept that fact, but I love it anyway. I know it is not a Mod song, but it is just beautiful.

Dave Benach (mod79@well.com)

Eric Dolphy - Out to Lunch
Early 60's cool jazz with lots of vibes. Feels like the perfect soundtrack for stylin' down the street.

Mystic Eyes - Our Time to Leave
Full-on garage on Get Hip Records.

Dexy's Midnight Runners - Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
I know these guys were supposed to be a big mod revival band at some point (before their ultimate crusty hit 'Come on, Eileen'), but I just think this album is *funny*. I mean, listen to a song like 'Geno', it's great... but funny.

James Evin Sides (jsides@cougarnet.byu.edu)
http://media.uvsc.edu/media/georgiti/tapdr/tapdr.htmll

The Definitive Otis Redding
Otis was the most soulful man that ever lived. He's my idol and I've been listening to him about as long as I've been alive (almost 28 years). My dad was really into Otis (he even saw him in Washington D.C. many years ago) and as a kid my whole family would get together and dance to a Wilson Picket/Otis Redding compilation record that we had. This would probably be my desert island pick.

Elvis Costello & the Attractions - "Get Happy"
Elvis is another one of my all time faves. It's tough to pick out an album but this one was a tribute to American soul. They tried to mimick a lot of Booker T. & the M G's sounds and and did a damn good job considering Booker T had one of the all time most incredible bands.

The Clash - "On Broadway"
I love the Clash. This compilation is missing a couple really incredible tracks but it is probably the most accurate representation of the bands musical evolution and doesn't include anything from their last album (w/o Mick Jones & Topper Headon) "Cut the Crap" which was just that.

The Jam - "Sound Affects"
Here's another band that's tough to pick from. I love every single album these fellas put out, but the production on this album is just magical to me (All Mod Cons has a somewhat similar production as well). The songs are well thought out and really different from eachother in nature, but put together they tell a great story. It's one of those records I could never tire of.

The Buddy Holly Collection
Buddy Holly is my favorite white rock & roller. He was freaking brilliant and only getting better before he died. He & Otis were kings!

Scott (MOD64@aol.com)

Rufus Thomas - "Can't Get Away From This Dog"
20 tracks from STAX - Great American R&B 63'-67' with help from Booker T. & the MGs and the Mar-Key Horns-makes me want to Groove!

"A Shot Of Rhythm and Blues" - The R&B ERA Vol. 1
22 tracks of British R&B from 63'-65'- brilliant compilation from Sequal Records

Skavoovie & the Epitones
These kids can play. First release from the Boston ska outfit. They have a definate 60's club ska sound, are great live, and I can't wait for their next release coming out any month now.

Johnny Liu (superfly@eden.rutgers.edu)

Major Lance - Monkey Time
Being a big fan of 1960's soul, Major Lance is my favorite act. If you see footage of him on stage, his moves and presence more than make up for his thin voice. This track is a great example of Curtis Mayfield's arranging style(he wrote all of Major Lance's hits).

Booker T. and the M.G.'s - Green Onions
This simple minor blues groove was another fine example of what made 1960's soul great music, i.e. simple yet tasteful melodies, harmonies, and chord structure. The groove they create on this song is what is great.

Jimmy Smith - 1-2-3
Known as more of a jazz and blues organist than anything else, his cover of 1-2-3 is one of the best covers I've ever heard of a song,i.e it was much better than the original arrangement. The bass anchors the groove and is not obnoxious or overbearing and Jimmy has a real feel for the melody and the organ--his playing is lyrically close to the original melody, yet he knows where to go off on soulsy points and does so well.

The Skatalites - Dr. Kildare
A 1960's track, this little heard song encompasses many moods at once. The melody is simple and happy, the chords are jazz flavored yet do not get too jazzy. An overall feel-good track.

Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight
My favorite Sinatra track, not much to be said except its great while ending a pitcher at closing time in your favorite bar.

Shawn (sdm184s@nic.smsu.edu)

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme....
Impulse! Records - beautiful, soulful MODern jazz. hasn't left the turntable for some time now.

Rockin' Steady - The Best of Desmond Dekker....
Rhino Records This is the best compilation of early Desmond i've found. A lot of the jamaican stuff is on here, not the later Stax Records-sounding tracks from his days recording in the UK with (blecch!) a full string section.

The Skatalites - Hi-Bop Ska!
Shanachie - Buy it. Why? Louis Armstrong: "If you don't already know, there ain't no point in tellin' ya."

Lisa Gerson (lgerson@mcs.net)
maintainer, modslist

Thurman - Lux
Terrific mod-pop album with influences from The Kinks, Beatles, Small Faces, T-Rex, Jam, and Blur.

Pulp - Different Class
This one has been stuck on the turntable since I got it. Jarvis Cocker's lyrics are brilliant.

Clique - Self Preservation Society
This is the full length album from one of the best mod bands around. Incredible Hammond organ by Dom Srtickland.

Swingin' Neckbreakers - Shake Break!
New album from one of the top Garage bands. Great songs, great playing, and a great cover. These guys just keep getting better.

Dan (MstyWatr@aol.com)

The Eyes - "When The Night Falls"
Serious 1965 toggle switch damage, a meaty, beaty 12-bar lament for a screwed-up relationship, sped up and concussed by a mind-blowingly metallic guitar sound. The guitar intro sounds like some sort of deranged Koto, and supplies a sense of druggy disorientation from the get-go.

The Creation - "Making Time"
Eddie Phillips and his magic violin bow, wrenching malevolent sounds from a recalcitant Strat as the band barrels in and out of time in the wonderfully chaotic way that today's click-track bands can never hope to approximate. Vocalist Kenny Pickett sounds like he's up for more than a bit of trouble, and the high, pilled-up vocal harmonies ice the cake.

The Times - Red With Purple Flashes
Named for Eddie Phillips's famous description of The Creation's sound, Ed Ball's early 80s ode to mod music sounds more like a great lost Jam song. But with a catchy "doo-doot-doo" chorus, slashing guitars, and the all-important propulsive beat, who's complaining?

The Who - Substitute
Identity problems, falsetto harmonies, and a guitar lick that should be required learning for every schoolkid - to my mind, The Who's greatest three minutes on wax. We can argue til the end of the next millenium about whether or not Townshend and Co. should be called "Mod," but dig Steve Marriott's 1984 words on the subject: "I don't think you could call [The Who] bandwagon jumpers because they were probably as innocent to the whole fuckin' thing as we were. Now, it's become the snobbish thing to say, that The Who were manufactured. Nah, I don't think they were. They were a natural."

The Jam - Life From a Window.
Buried in the middle of This Is The Modern World, this wistful, power-chorded meditation on loneliness and alienation has always tugged my heartstrings. It remains, like the album it comes from, a sentimental favorite for me...

jenn - (jgardy@wimsey.com)

I can only think of two picks for the mod Cd/singles project, those being A Town Called Malice cos it's the best Jam song, and Supa Shoppa by Blur just cos I like it...

Vincent Wong (vincent_wong@student.sbe.scarborough.on.ca)

Blur, The Cardigans, Pulp, and The Beautiful South
Yeah I know that most of these aren't mods, but the brilliant never the less. The other thing that would make them mods is that they use their minds, and not their looks, althogth these bands are rather stylish.

Jordana Robinson (jbr109@psu.edu )

Thurman-Lux
Make-up and Slant 6 split single
Magnetic Fields - all the umbrellas in london single
The Charlatans remixed by the chemical bros
The Verve - history [which honestly makes me cry, but then i am a sentimental pop lover, aren't i?]