Several new record compilations and album re-releases explore the origins and evolution of several punk, pop and rock artists:
BUZZCOCKS; "Time's Up" (Document). * * * 1/2.BUZZCOCKS; "Operator's Manual: Buzzcocks Best" (IRS). * * * .
Originating in the same British punk rock movement that gave the world the Sex Pistols and Siouxsie and the Banshees, the four-member Buzzcocks recently reunited after nine years, which - along with their dynamic live shows, such as a recent appearance at Salt Lake's Bar and Grill - has sparked a resurgence in interest in this much-neglected power-pop combo.
"Time's Up," an import released only in Britain, compiles the band's first recordings, including its raw beginnings with singer Howard Devoto (who subsequently left to pursue a career in Magazine and with solo work). A bit surprisingly, the 11 songs already show guitarist (and future singer) Pete Shelley's exertion on the band to pursue its melodic side, especially a grinding cover of Elvis Presley's "I Can't Control Myself."
What is so compelling about the cassette is hearing Devoto's obvious influence on Shelley and the much rougher approach to the music, including early versions of "Breakdown" and "You Tear Me Up" that surpass their revisions.
Less compelling is "Operator's Manual," a 19-track compilation of "Buzzcocks Best" that replaces the out-of-print "Singles Going Steady" and the three-cassette or CD "Product" as the only domestic Buzzcocks release.
While some of the song selections are excellent (including most of the singles available only on "Singles Going Steady"), other inclusions are a bit dubious, especially since there is little material from the band's more experimental later recordings and even less attention to Steve Diggle's excellent tracks (which rival some of Shelley's better numbers).
Though it is nice to give newer fans access to Buzzcocks material before the band records its upcoming album (which is still without a record label), even better would be for IRS to re-release all the band's albums (and even throw in the rarely heard Flag of Convenience albums Diggle recorded between the Buzzcocks's breakup and reunion).DESCENDENTS; "Somery" (SST). * * * *
Look no farther than the Bay Area's Descendents for evidence that the U.S. punk-rock music scene was at least a match for its British forefathers.
Before dissolving in 1987 and eventually transmuting into the power-pop quartet All, the Descendents combined sharp lyrical hooks with all-out guitar assaults that stand out among the best punk-rock this country has produced.
This 28-track compilation of the band's career is actually one "greatest hits" collection that lives up to its name - offering a diverse selection of the band's best numbers. The Descendents' punk side shows through with the ironic roar of "Suburban Home," and its poppy persona enlivens "Silly Girl."
"Somery" should serve as the perfect starting point for the curious listener, as well as a bridge for some of All's younger and more recent fans.TONYALL; "New Girl, Old Story" (Cruz). * *
Also paying tribute to the Descendents is this new release, which pairs one-time Descendents bassist Tony Lombardo with power-pop quartet All, three of whose members also played in the Descendents.
The cassette's tracks follow an even more bubblegum-pop approach than All's most poppy material, with Lombardo sharing some vocal duties with All singer Scott Reynolds and All bassist Karl Alvarez.
Frankly, the cassette would have been a lot better if Lombardo had let Reynolds do the lion's share of vocalizing. Both "Special To Me" and "You Are Special" become unintentionally hilarious with Lombardo's toneless emoting. Elsewhere, Alvarez displays some vocal prowess with "Guitar Case," and Reynolds enlivens the release's title track. However, Lombardo's shortcomings are too much to overcome.JOHN WESLEY HARDING; "It Happened One Night" (Rhino). * * * *
Two years of complaining have finally paid off for the fans of John Wesley Harding, one of the brightest voices in rock and folk rock - a U.S. record company has finally re-released Harding's first album.
Recorded live in 1988, "It Happened One Night" features Harding (real name, Wesley Harding Stace) performing a 17-song set in the way he does best - solo and acoustically.
Among the brightest in this brilliant folk record are stripped-down versions of "The Devil in Me" and "Save a Little Room For Me," both of which showed up with richer instrumentation on later releases, and the tribute "Phil Ochs, Bob Dylan, Steve Goodman, David Blue & Me." Much thanks to Rhino Records for distributing this gem. Harding's next record is tentatively scheduled for spring.WALL OF VOODOO; "The Index Masters" (Index). * * * *
Probably the only peers this unfairly neglected L.A. quintet could ever name was Akron, Ohio's Devo, since both bands feature icy and clinically detached pop that details today's urban struggles. Where the two differ, though, is in influences.
While Devo followed a more science-fiction tone, the early Wall of Voodoo took inspiration from film noir and spaghetti westerns. Fortunately, this re-release compiles the band's early tracks with a previously unreleased live set. What it documents is just how talented the band really was.
Stan Ridgway's sing-speak intonations benefit greatly from the supporting cast's superb instrumentals, including Mark Moreland's guttural guitar work - something that is lacking in Ridgway's more current solo material.
Highlights include a tension-charged cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" and the blunt and brutal "Can't Make Love," a slam on pre-HIV sexual mores. Consistently eerie and interesting throughout, the cassette is the band's best and most musically satisfying.THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS; "Miscellaneous T: The B Side/Remix Compilation" Bar/None-Restless). * * *
Though New York's quirky pop duo They Might Be Giants recently signed a major record label contract to release their third album, "Flood," they've had to return to their independent record label to release this compilation.
"Miscellaneous T," or the abbreviated "Misc. T" (get it - Misty?), compiles the band's three mini-albums, which often contain more offbeat material than their actual albums - if that's possible. For the most part those songs are decently weird.
The sole new tracks include "Hey Mr. DJ, I Thought You Said We Had a Deal," a surprisingly brutal condemnation of mainstream radio programming," and a cover of "The Lady Is a Tramp." While not all the songs are essential, they will suffice while we wait for the band's next album, due out early next year.