7th night of Chanukah: V/A - Metrojets Vols. 1 & 2 (Red Rubber Ball)

I suppose I couldn't get away without sharing something that's squarely in the power pop vein for one of my Chanukah posts, now could I?  With a combined 37 tracks, these beauties more than fit the bill. The two Metrojets compilations slipped in and out of circulation rather quickly when they dropped in the mid-00s (no copyright date provided) via the Spanish Red Rubber Ball label.  With an emphasis on virtual unknowns in the DIY realm spanning the years 1977-82, Metrojets was an instant draw for me, even if I had little to no acquaintance with the music enshrined within.  I have a huge affinity with music from this era for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that music was still being tracked on analog equipment, imbuing recordings with a warmer tone.  Secondly, the "genre" was still relatively fresh and tuneage of this sort wouldn't hit the overkill phase until later in the eighties.  With Metrojets, I’m tempted to draw parallels between Bomp Records style power pop acts, and those featured in the Teenline series, however the emphasis here is on British practitioners, with only about a third of the roster being culled from the Yankee camp. 

Since I don’t have time to offer track-by-track critiques, the liner notes, albeit brief, do some of the heavy lifting for me, which is why I scanned them in  At the very least I can make a few quick recommendations – Bo & The Generals, The Subterraneans, Straight Eight, The Spys, New Toys, Urgent Crunch Band, and Paul Warren & The Explorers.  Incidentally I have featured only two of Metrojets participants before this posting – The Fans (Atlanta) and The Queen Annes, the latter of which saw the release of an excellent retrospective this year, Something Quick on Green Monkey Records.  The Annes offered a classy “Me” generation update on par excellence British Invasion rock, and are well worth further investigation.  Enjoy. 

Volume 1

01. The Fans – True

02. The Realists - I've Got A Heart

03. Stumblebunny - When You Walk Away

04. Straight Eight - I'm Sorry

05. Speedometors - Tonight Tonight

06. Bo & The Generals - Rich Girl

07. The Boys - (Baby) It's You

08. Sponsors - In & Out Of Love

09. Da Biz - On The Beach

10. Brian Copsey & The Commotions - Boys In Love

11. The Blades - Hot For You

12. Advertising - Stolen Love

13. The Vye - Five Hours Till Tonight

14. The Subterraneans - My Flamingo

 

Volume 2

01. T-Boys - One Way Street

02. Tennis Shoes - (Do The) Medium Wave

03. Queen Annes - This Is That
04. Furys - Moving Target

05. Jo Allen & The Shapes - Cryin' Over You

06. Dee & The Monitors - Play With Fire

07. New Toys - Say It

08. Realists – Wonderland

09. Dazzlers – Phonies

10. Spys - Heavy Scene

11. White Heat - The City Beat

12. Shades - Are You My Angel

13. Urgent Crunch Band - Listen To Silence

14. Expressos - Hey Girl

15. Sweet Tommy Band - She Don't Respond

16. Bozos - Weekend Girl

17. Paul Warren & The Explorers - Mr. A&R Man

18. Ric Tubbax & The Taxis - Breakin' Up

19. Monos! - Mad Lover

20. Fingerprintz - Dancing With Myself

21. Nick Gilder - Metro Jets (unlisted track)

  

Metrojets Vol. 1: Hear

Metrojets Vol. 2: Hear