Customer Reviews

Gimme Indie Rock 1

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It should come as no surprise that K-Tel has done a terrific job with this collection of 80's Indie Rock songs, they did an equally fine job in 1999 with an Alt.Country collection (called Exposed Roots). There really was a time that I and thousands of others used to buy a lot of these acts' records through mail order catalogs and from magazine ads. That was what Indie rock was really about in the 80's. The bands featured here are for the most part Indie rock legends: Husker Du, Meat Puppets, Yo La Tengo. And I might add a couple of personal favorites like the Chills and the Feelies. Co-compiler Scott Becker's liner notes, though, are a mixed bag. Taking unnecessary swipes at 60's rock and using the old Rock-crit line that the 70's were "a musical black hole", Becker's notes are better when dealing with the 80's Indie Rock that he loves, not dissing acts (like Bob Seger) who were pretty great, even if he didn't like them. In the end, thankfully, that leaves the music. And it's pretty great. I'd forgotten how jangly and punk this stuff sounds. As with any compilation made by someone else, you could always find room for improvement: SST era Sonic Youth and Twin/Tone era Replacements would've been nice. And does anyone remember the Go-Betweens (who were Indie until 1988)? Or Pylon? Maybe on future volumes. But those are minor complaints. If you're interested in the peak of Indie Rock (and 80's music, in particular) this is highly recommended.

This CD is simply wonderful. I found it in the discount section at Meijer's among copies of Quiet Riot's greatest hits and Skid Row. Let me tell you, it was like a beacon in the darkness!

It's amazing to see almost all of the bands that Kurt Cobain loved (Husker Du, Dinosaur Jr., Mudhoney, the Meat Puppets, The Wipers, The Flaming Lips, etc... etc...) all on one glorious compilation! If you LOVE Nirvana (and who doesn't?) you really need this CD. Don't even think twice about it. An excellent buy!

I'd forgotten what the 80's alternative scene sounded like! This collection is fabulous and brings back all those memories of searching out all the gems that never made it to the radio.

A spiffy lil' 2 CD set that includes 30 tracks by 30 of the `80s most well known artists on the independent scene before the corporate big boys and girls went tailing some of them once the noize they created caught on and created a buzz. Some of the bands included are Spacemen 3/Galaxie 500/Husker Du/Giant Sand & Black Flag. 25 more crash and burn bands (You know them) round out this set. This a real gem and a great collection for any old fan or new fan looking for a good comprehensive overview of the independent music scene of days gone by. Hope v. 2 don't take forever to come out. A.

This is a really great introduction to underground 1980s rock bands. The songs are full of energy and come of very well nearly thirty later. Through this album I was first exposed to Husker Du,The Feelies, My Dad is Dead, Galaxie 500. All of those bands are very obscure if you live in a town of 2,000 people in the middle of rural Minnesota.

Before the internet there simply was no other to get exposed to these band unless you were lucky enough to know someone already hip to them. I am very thankful to the people that put this compiltion together. It opened up WORLDS! If you're looking to get a taste of what was happening beyond the radio signal in the 1980s start here. I like almost every song on the comp and for you it provides a good leaping point to see what you do like. I don't listen to cd's anymore but becuase of this comp I have sought out the old vinyl records and listen to those frequently.

The sign of a great comp is if it inspires you to dig and research and go beyond it, even while keeping it in listening rotation. This is a great comp.

WLUW in chicago played this album all the time when it came out. Hüsker Dü, Dino Jr and the rest are the only redeeming part of the Eighties. This makes you realize that there was good music during that decade. You just had to go underground.

That tune would be from "Up On The Sun", owlberg, sweetie.

Good God ! What a collection. Great old stuff blended with goodies never heard before. Buy it, sit on the floor, play it and you to will "feelie" like a "half japanese meat puppet" !

"Swimming Ground" (I assume Pool is a typo) is skronky as hell. Torture? Out of tune guitar, off kilter rhythms, tuneless harmonies, fall apart chorus. Skronk Rock Torture? Sounds like the Meat Puppets to me. Wondrously so.

I have to wonder what Tod Nelson means when he writes that the Meat Puppets' "Swimming Ground" is "pure skronk-rock torture." (Or does he really think it's a different song called "Swimming Pool"?) "Swimming Ground" is a pretty song about the ol' swimming hole with a lilting guitar line and nice sing-along vocals, with nothing skronky or torturous about it. What is he talking about? Has he ever heard the song? Does he know what he's talking about? Is he qualified to write this review? Would I be more qualified?