The Style Council
Long Hot Summers: The Story of the Style Council
UDiscovermusic
3 LP Set

It has only taken the better part of over three decades, but it seems that Paul Weller's mid-80s exercise in unapologetic pop, The Style Council, is finally getting its due. After disbanding The Jam in 1982, Weller decided to take his music into an entirely different direction with his new group he formed with Mick Talbot. The result was a pop band that eschewed the rock and punk aesthetic that The Jam was famous for, and it more than confused a lot of fans that had worshiped at the foot of Weller in the past.

Seeing as how the The Jam fans were polarized, most of the group's newfound audience was rooted in 80s New Wave and New Romantic pop instead of punk. However, the group never really got a true foothold, and it eventually fizzled out at the end of the 80s. Weller went on to a very successful (and long-lasting) solo career, and the brief stint with TSC was all but forgotten for the most part.

Over the years, TSC has gained a better reputation, as much of the output has stood the test of time. It's a testament to the talent of Weller and his penchant for strong songwriting and consistently sticking to his guns - something he has done over and over again. 

This collection gathers up the best of TSC and gives us a rather comprehensive look at their work in the 80s, spread over 3 LPs in a beautifully packaged collection. There are only a couple of previously unreleased/rare tracks, so it may be a little redundant for serious fans (although we know they are probably going to buy it either way). But, you won't find a better way to capture the band in all their glory if you're looking for a convenient and concise package like this.

MISH MASH Mandate: Here's One That Got Away
 

 

Cheap Trick
Out to Get You! Live 1977
Epic Records

This is what RSD should always be about; great records that otherwise wouldn't see the light of day. In this case, a live record that should grace every turntable owned by fans of Cheap Trick. Forget the polished overdubbed excess of Budokan or the multitude of unofficial bootlegs floating around since the late 70s. THIS is the one you want. Captured over a few shows at the Whisky A Go Go in June of 1977, this double LP shows off the true down-and-dirty rock that made Cheap Trick famous in a live setting. 

The sound quality is great, and the show digs deep into the cornerstone early tunes that are rarely heard nowadays - such as the blistering "Daddy Should Have Stayed In High School" and "Taxman, Mr. Thief". It's not polished, it's not overly produced - it's raw power the way that Cheap Trick needs to be heard; in a small, sweaty club with the sound bouncing off the walls.

Unfortunately, it's a limited edition, but should be easy enough to grab at a reasonable price if you're on the ball. If you're a fan of CT, this is a must have for your collection.

MISH MASH Mandate: Speak Now  

 

The Violets
Athens, GA 1988 - 1992
Crooked Beat Records

When the list for the third RSD 2020 drop was released, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Violets would be putting out a new compilation on vinyl. I was in Athens from 1991-1993, and The Violets were a main staple in the music scene. Their single, "I Hate The Grateful Dead", was a hot item in the local shops and on the UGA radio station. After that brief moment in time, they dropped of the radar, and that was that.

Fast forward about 30 years, and we're looking at the opening of a veritable time capsule; a collection of tunes from a semi-obscure Athens band, pressed on vinyl in the year 2020. Imagine being told that piece of information three decades ago, when vinyl was all but dead (even then), and absolutely no one was paying attention to anything going on in Athens (thanks, Seattle).

With that in mind, this is an amazing slice of Athenian music history. The Violets were a classic college band - part jingle-jangle and part punk, they eschewed any real pigeonholing or convenient classification. They were a group of college kids who bashed out a few great rocking tunes, and their garage-rock sound almost sounds quaint and innocent in the current music climate.

Who's this really for? Is it simply a nostalgia trip for those in the know, or is there anything to glean for those not privy to the sounds of Athens circa 1990? Let's consider the "hit" track here, which is of course, "I Hate The Grateful Dead." The track actually holds up well, and it's just as humorous as it was when it was released. Who can deny the silly-but-clever lyrics in the refrain, "I'll be grateful when they're dead"? Add to that the cover art for the original single where Jerry Garcia's head is superimposed over the face of Lee Harvey Oswald being shot by Jack Ruby, and you've got a song that should live forever in infamy.

I've always thought that the Athens scene of the early 90s was sadly underrated and ignored, and this record is a testament to that opinion. Bands like Five Eight, The Woggles, Bliss, Roosevelt, Vigilantes of Love, and others never really got their due. It's nice to see one of those bands from that era getting attention, albeit 30 years too late. 

MISH MASH Mandate: Time in a Bottle 

   

Joe Pernice
Richard
12 song vinyl LP
Joe Pernice Bandcamp 

Back in the old days (circa 2000), Joe Pernice seemed like he would release an album every few weeks. And then, he kind of disappeared, only to resurface almost a decade later last year to release a new album with The Pernice Brothers ("Spread The Feeling"). 

And then, suddenly, he decided to become prolific again. During the pandemic, he regularly posted video covers of Barry Manilow songs. Now, he has released a new album of solo tunes, also recorded under the shadow of COVID-19.

The album is a quiet and reflective take on his ususal "oh-so-happy-to-be-miserable" style of songwriting. Instead of the almost cheerful take on his misery, this one leans more into a melancholy feel. It's reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel's "Wednesday Morning, 3AM" - a quiet interlude that creeps into the recesses of your mind. I never really thought about comparing Pernice to Art Garfunkel before now, but his voice gives me that same vibe throughout this record.

It's a noble effort, and I think it is one of his strongest solo pieces. I can only hope that he continues this creative streak - it would be nice to see him putting out new material on a regular basis again. I wouldn't mind a volume of Barry Manilow tunes. Here's hoping!

MISH MASH Mandate: Bridge Over Bleecker Street
 

Plasma

Plasma

Invisible Audio

5 song cassette tape

It's always fun to run across some good old school hardcore punk that's energetic and full of pure middle finger attitude. Plasma wails away through five ear-piercing songs, presented in a continuous stream that is relentless in its delivery. The songs are quick - nothing over two minutes - and they leave you wanting more of that sweet skull-crushing volume. Nothing really new to see here, but it's killer from beginning to end. This is the way it's supposed to be done. 

MISH MASH MANDATE: Hardcore Crush

Pinegrove
Marigold 
Rough Trade Records
11 song vinyl LP

Pinegrove is one of those bands that I find hard to wrap my head around. They seem to be able to fuse together the best elements of Americana/alt country with the best elements of indie pop, but not always on a consistent basis. At times they remind me of R.E.M., especially in the twangy way they come across in certain songs. At other times, they seem as far removed from that comparison as possible. And, for this reason, it troubles me to some degree - I'm not sure why. It's an uncomfortable feeling that tends to rear its head during certain passages.

With that being said, it seems to work more often than not. I like their music, and this particular album appears to be more consistent than their previous efforts, at least on the surface. I love the pop dreariness of Dotted Line and the anxiousness of Moment. On the other hand, I quickly grow weary of the meandering drone of the title track and the whiny singsong of The Alarmist. I really think what they're doing has amazing potential, even though I've not totally bought into them wholeheartedly. I'm going to keep watching and listening, because these guys are likely to pull of a classic sooner or later.
MISH MASH Mandate: Pining Away    

Tennis 

Swimmer
Mutually Detrimental Records
9 Song Vinyl LP


This unassuming husband-and-wife pop duo made a huge splash back in 2017 with their fourth album "Yours Conditionally," a self-released indie album sensation that rode a wave of success that set the standard for vinyl releases in the age of streaming.

Now they are back, refining even further their knack for infectious pop that transcends time and space. They still have the sweet pop hooks (think of early Madonna if she was a modern day hipster), but they've managed to darken the mood a little more, giving their songs an angst that is almost palpable in this new release. There are tinges of Carole King to go along with the 80s-era pop phrasings, elevating their already amazing songwriting chops to new heights.

It's the kind of album that grows on you over repeated listenings, revealing layer after layer of sounds and melodies that seem to creep into your psyche without your full awareness. It remains to be seen if they have reached their pinnacle, or if they've got even more tricks up their sleeve. Can't wait to find out.
  MISH MASH Mandate: I Feel The Earth Move