Black Vinyl Shoes

Shoes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 23, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Landmark Distributor
• ASIN: B000001LAK
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,451 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Shoes were pop classicists in the manner of the Beatles & the Raspberries, and if their low-tech recording setup dictated a leaner and more basic approach than the Fab Four, the thick guitar lines, smooth backing harmonies, and trickier-than-they-sound me

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The birth of Indie Pop, October 1, 2003

By 

Perry M. Koons "theeighthbeatle" (Crownsville, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Vinyl Shoes (Audio CD)

When I first discovered this album it stood out like a sore thumb in my CD collection. Sure, I had most of the Cheap Trick CD's, some Badfinger and Big Star stuff, and actually even had Shoes "Best of" CD. However, only one cut from this album was represented on the Best of, and their later albums featured fuller production techniques. This is not the first Shoes album, they actually released one called Un Dans Versailles in 1975 and crafted an unreleased record called Bazooka in 1976 (collected on the compilation As Is). These early recordings give credit to Shoes being among the first indie pop pioneers. Black Vinyl Shoes is stunning because at that time (and pretty much to this day), NOBODY sounded like this record. They recorded everything on a 4 track, kept the cover art simple, and released the record through their own label. It was a D.I.Y. production that preceded (and gave hope to) pretty much every indie pop band. With their lo-fi fuzz sound washing over sweet melodies, and soft vocals, on paper they sound like an early version of Jesus and Mary Chain or Dream Syndicate, but in fact were nothing like either band. They were pop traditionalists, they just couldn't AFFORD to make their guitars sparkle like the Byrds or Big Star could. The sound is beautiful in it's own right, and some of the songs are instant classics. Even if it's not the most consistent Shoes CD, it is a must have due to its often underestimated (and uncredited) influence on the D.I.Y. pop crowd.

Best Tracks:
"Boys Don't Lie" - 2 minutes of sublime fuzz pop. Structured like a basic pop punk song, but sounds like nothing else.
"Do You Wanna Get Lucky" - Sloppy drums, screeching atonal solo, but still just a pretty, catchy song. Sounds like a Revolver-era Beatles song done by a garage band rather than experienced pros.
"Tragedy" - Some of the best vocals on the CD, even if you can't understand a word. Great song.
"Capital Gain" - Weird twists and quirky lyrics show that this band had more than met the eye.
"Okay" - My #1 track here. Bouncy, simple, and textbook power pop. Early Beatles given the lo-fi treatment 15 years before bands like Apples In Stereo.
"Fire For Awhile" - When Shoes slow it down, it is stunning. The harmonies pave the way for their later records with denser vocals, and the guitars chime with a drowsy sadness. Beautiful.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic!, June 27, 2002

By 

S. Taylor "stertay" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Vinyl Shoes (Audio CD)

Browsing through and finding that this underground classic is represented by only one, one-star review, I felt that I had to weigh in.

I think this album is amazing. Buzzing, surprising guitar hooks, supersweet falsetto vocals, early Ramones bounce (really!). Recorded in a living room. This album really puts a smile on your face.

Everybody is welcome to their opinion, and if you simply don't like power-pop, then you probably won't like this. But if you enjoy such bands as, say, Big Star, this will be a treat!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't live without this record, August 24, 2008

By 

Tippie Jacks "TJ" (AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Vinyl Shoes (Audio CD)

I still remember the first time I heard this record. It was years ago (at least 23), and was my first day working at a small, local, used record store. The 2 guys who worked there regarded me with caution and a smirk. They were too cool for the rest of the world, and of course, knew more about what was "good music" than anyone within 100 miles. So I too, was tested: Afterall, what could this converse wearing blondie possibly know about music? I chose two records to play that day (at my register shift). The first was 20/20 and this Shoes record. While 20/20 was always a favorite, it was my first time to hear Black Vinyl Shoes. I knew who they were (from their greatest/Tomorrow Night/Too Late etc.), but had never heard this record. Choosing this record accomplished two things that day: It became one of my all time favorite power pop records (I loved every minute of it) and it solidified my "cool" factor with the snotty record store boys...immediately. (Like I cared, hmf!)

I have always been attracted to the Shoes twangy, fuzzy pop melodies, and their similar sound to Big Star and the Byrds in some cases. Bottom-line, if you are a power pop fan, this should be in your collection along with:
Cheap Trick
Big Star
20/20
Sloan
Paul Collin's Beat
Hoodoo Gurus
etc.

I was thrilled when this was finally released on CD a few years back and wouldn't part with it. As for the one star reviewer: Power Pop is obviously not your cup 'o tea, so go taint somewhere else, please. Go buy some new shoes or something.

Long live the blonde in converse who loves the SHOES!