Popshifter‘s Best Of Lists

Something Old, Something New: Rejoiced Revisitations and Recent Raves for 2008

By Jaime Sparrowhawk

Milk ‘N’ Cookies, Milk ‘N’ Cookies 2xLP (Island, 1975/Radio Heartbeat, 2008)
Squeaky-clean teen glitter with a worldly wink (and connections to Sparks, Roxy Music, and Paul Collins’ Beat). High-fives to the Heartbeat gang for a job well done: a drool-worthy gatefold, remastered, double-platter repress-plus of this coveted Long Island glam essential, complete with stellar studio extras, printed inner-sleeves, and pin-up worthy poster (not to mention a super-spoiling special edition with 1″ badge and promo folder stuffed full of 8×10 and article repros).

Nick Lowe, Jesus Of Cool LP/CD (Columbia [as Pure Pop For Now People] US/Radar UK, 1978/YepRoc, 2008)
It took twelve years in the biz for Nick Lowe to release a solo album, and another thirty for the States to hear it as intended. All of his hallmarks are here: straightforward production, biting (but never heartless) wit, and deft exploration of just about every pop niche imaginable. This CD edition is impressively executed with a fold-out digipack, track-by-track booklet, and a wealth of vital bonus cuts.

The Wind, Where It’s At With The Wind LP (Cheft, 1982/Vinyl Countdown, 2008)
Comprised of three young Beatles devotees (all uniquely gifted singers), The Wind brought a jangling Merseybeat sound to the unlikely setting of early 80s Miami with this debut. Recorded in a local salsa studio and originally self-released, this superb gatefold reissue of a soulful Sunshine State classic includes their Rolling Stone feature (pre-MTV scribe Kurt Loder was an early fan), photos, and extensive notes by guitarist Lane Steinberg.

Van Duren, Are You Serious? CD (Big Sound, 1977/Water, 2008)
Ask any power-pop diehard: Memphis has a history of being criminally overlooked, and Chris Bell associate Van Duren knows it all too well. After over three decades of obscurity (and passed-around cassettes mislabeled as pre-Big Star Icewater demos), his gorgeous Emitt Rhodes/McCartney-esque debut is finally available on demand, in disc and MP3 form.

Nikki & The Corvettes, “Yummy Yummy Yummy” & “Summertime Fun” b/w KROQ Interview with Rodney Bingenheimer 45 (unreleased, 1978/Ramo, 2008)
Detroit girls take a rollicking ride on the Ohio Express, but perhaps even more enticing is the flip-side convo with the mayor of the Sunset Strip. Eternally teenaged, the mint-condition Ms. Corvette is still going strong and sassy; check out her new band, Gorevette, with Amy Gore of Gore Gore Girls.

Box Elders, Hole In My Head + 3 EP (Grotto, 2008)
With well-crafted songs both raw and pretty, Omaha’s Box Elders are a shot in the arm for any music fan who is tired of seeing the phrases “‘sixties-influenced” and “garage pop” bandied about with little justification. Brothers Jeremiah (guitar) and Clayton McIntyre (bass) lend a sibling-specific sensibility to shared lead vocals, while drummer/organist/force of nature Dave Goldberg blows up in back. Plus, they do a great cover of Redd Kross’s “S&M Party” (included here) and are one of the best live bands I have ever seen.

Nobunny, Love Visions LP (Bubbledumb/1234 Go! 2008)
Nobunny knows that a superhero’s duties include much more than donning a mask and fancy underwear. With a myriad of brilliantly bratty vocal styles and demented, danceable ditties, this rabbit-eared avenger is saving rock & roll one beer-soaked bar at a time. His live show is not to be missed, and the vinyl hits just keep on multiplying: his brand-new single is out now on HoZac records.

Rantouls, Chug A Lug + 3 EP (Chocolate Covered, 2008)
The first 45 from this California trio is a real treat: four Buddah-worthy pieces of can’t-believe-it’s-current bubblegum from Fevers howler (and Joey Levine sound-alike) Gavin May and good company. As sweet and tart as Savage Sour Apple Bubbllicious, but ten times more addictive.

Hunx & His Punx “You Don’t Like Rock ‘N’ Roll” b/w “Gimmie Gimmie Back Your Love” 45 (Rob’s House, 2008)
Also one-quarter of outrageous West Coast combo Gravy Train!!!!, flamboyant Hunx collaborates with fellow Oakland-based underground icon Nobunny on one of two spectacularly cheeky (no pun intended) girl-group-with-a-gay-guy-twist singles (see also “Cruisin’”/”Good Kisser” on Bachelor Records). And just so you know, both scratch-off censor bars on my copy remain intact.

Sweet Faces, On Top Of That Girl + 3 EP (Douchemaster, 2008)
What do you do on your summer vacations? Brian “Fever B” Hermosillo spent one of his recording this handful of catchy, refreshingly honest tunes in the Netherlands. Consistently clever, yet unpretentious lyrics, and great guitar hooks make this one a must hear for all true-blue power-popsters.

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