The Garden Of Earthly Delights 2024 Volume 2

 

Today's offering features four 2024 Archive releases. We are often asked to feature more Reissues. We've been reluctant to do this to avoid deflecting from our main intention of covering new albums. However 2025 will bring more of these in special separate sections, but not enough to confuse our audience.

Yachts - Missing In Action - The Lost Tapes 1980 - 81 

Yachts are beloved, not just here, but in parts of the US and deservedly so. Described at times as Punk, but more often Power Pop. They are neither really. New Wave describes them best, the UK 78 - 80 version, not the 80s geeky synth overload variation. Here are the recordings that were to form their third album that never came to light. 

The band split and this led to the likes of The Christians and It's Immaterial. Lovingly remastered recordings under the watchful eyes of band members Henry Priestman and Martin Watson. The Vinyl LP also contains the identical CD Version providing an essential example of the second Merseybeat.

You can buy the album here.

Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club - The Definitive Anthology 1977-1981 (3CD)

Talking of New Wave. the band's only released album, English Garden is one of the essential albums of the genre. Containing the early versions of Video Killed The Radio Star and Clean Clean that were written by Woolley and the pre Buggles Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes, that album is expanded. 

CBS refused to release the second album bizarrely and that is here with loads of extra stuff and 2 In Concert Recordings, one from the UK and one from the US. An essential 3 Disc set from a band that included Thomas Dolby and a reminder of how joyous that New Wave scene was.

You can buy the set here.

The Futureheads - Decent Days & Nights - The Singles

Without the intention of name dropping, I remember a conversation with Andy Partridge about similar bands to XTC and he singled out The Futureheads and Field Music as examples. Sunderland's finest certainly have that angular, swift changing of direction that XTC had, but also have the benefit of four part vocal harmonies.

19 singles are gathered together for then first time including that wonderful cover of Kate Bush's Hounds Of Love. Here is a band every bit as good as the likes of Franz Ferdinand with a fine Indie Guitar led collection that is available as a 2 LP or CD version.

You can buy the CD here. The Vinyl Edition is available here.

Tremeloes - Master (Remastered And Extended)

Known for UK Beat and Pop, The Tremeloes dropped the "The" for this 1970 release and showed a completely different side to the band. The poptastic gentle harmonies are placed on the back burner in favour of a crunchier Rock sound. But there are also some wonderful Psych Pop adventures contained within.

The harmonies are still here, but far more West Coast orientated. Here is the definitive version on Roger Houdaille's excellent Think Like A Key label. Remastered by Prof. Stoned and adding 12 Bonus Tracks.

You can buy the album here and everywhere.

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The Futureheads - Powers

There's something reassuring about the return of The Futureheads. You know the album is going to be suitably noisy UK New Wave that will translate to the live stage best, Powers doesn't disappoint, because it is just that, real shake your fist stuff, but always containing more than interesting diversions and riffs.

It's been a while since an Electric album from the Sunderland quartet, nine years in fact and seven years since the a capella of Rant, so it is definitely time to be chirped up amidst the misery is 2019. Plus, you always feel that the band are on your side.

That splendid debut album which felt so early XTC has expanded to take on that whole 78 - 80 period. Only Listen, Little Man and Headcase so XTC now, but it is refreshing to note that Guitar Pop is not dead and it does need the likes of The Futureheads to remind us that there is still hope.

That's not to say Powers is formulaic or one trick, targets are still aimed at and hit at will, but it's the breakneck speed that doesn't let up. There is no respite through all 12 songs, don't expect any ballads, this is beat driven angular pop at it's very best.

Electric Shock is a riff driven, staccato song with sounds coming from everywhere. with a wonderfully frantic guitar solo included. Mortals is built on such few repetitive lyrics, but is hypnotic and Across The Border is a fantastic rant, really inventive with a Mod Pop undertone.

The stand out here is Good Night Out, which is The Jam in all but name. The Futureheads can come across as a noisy Franz Ferdinand, but there is far more to them than that. Oh how we've missed you boys, it's great to see you back.

Powers is available everywhere.


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