The Maxxturs - It's Just Like You 12'' (1988, Pisces)

Where have The Maxxturs been my whole life?  The most factual answer to that query is likely 'defunct,' given this single was the only thing they made available for public consumption, nearly four full decades ago.  Seriously though, this was so impressive I thought about reserving it for Chanukah, but naturally I can't always be that stingy.  Ostensibly from the greater Miami area.  Dense, post-punky goings-on here, spinning in the same wheelhouse as Brighter Than a Thousand Suns-era Killing Joke, with stronger melodic chops, and even some harmonies to boot.  This would also slot in perfectly with the likes of mid-80s The Sound and the first volley of Comsat Angels LPs.  To be honest, The Max had even more "hit potential" than the aforementioned, especially on anthemic "This Fligan Icehole," but as I'm pretty sure anyone would attest, "It's Just Like You" is the showstopper here.  Desperately wish there was more where this oozed out of.  I'm making it available in MP3 and FLAC.

A. It's Just Like You

B. This Fligan Icehole

MP3/FLAC 

damned if I can make out the lyrics...

 ...but this was one of the most flawless albums to grace the racks in 2018.  A heady, enveloping mélange of dream pop and subtle electronic affectations. Dig in.

**Please do not reveal artist in comments!**

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The Drive - The Journey is the Reward (1987, Thrust)

How about some no frills rock 'n roll?  This is one is situated far more to the middle of the dial than what I normally give you, and in fact only about half of The Drive's lone LP really slots into Wilfully Obscure territory.  That's not to say the rest of deserves to be omitted - anything but, however The Journey is the Reward is considerably...pedestrian.  

From what little I've been able to glean on this quartet, they actually had ties to another band I introduced you to some time ago, the vaguely new-wave inflected The Lines from Boston, who dished out a wad of independently released wax in the early/mid-80s. It appears that the Drive's keyboardist/mic fiend Pat Dreier is the one who specifically had a role in both bands.  Journey's... tenor isn't far removed from the likes of the Hooters, John Cafferty, and less-so Drivin 'n Cryin' - not necessarily power pop, so to speak, but often adjacent with mid-tempo salvos "Something There," "Life Ain't Without You Baby," and "In Her Head," striking me as compulsively catchy.  The Drive weren't pompous enough to work an arena, but definitely a notch or two above your typical bar band fare. Nonetheless, this is ambitious and tight as a duck's ass, impeccably produced and engineered by the band alongside a gent named Phil Greene.  Enjoy (or not).  

01. Something There

02. In Her Head

03. Key to Heaven

04. There's a Reason

05. Goin' No Where

06. It Must Be Bedtime

07. Ain't What You Say

08. Tunnel of Love

09. Life Ain't Without You Baby

10. No Way Out

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The terrible shouting in my ears, we wouldn't last the year.

My apologies for not getting any new music up last week.  Will try to remedy that soon.  As for M/M, this one is from a NJ indie trio circa 1994.

**Please do not reveal artist in comments!**

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