Love's Melodies

Searchers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 13, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Wounded Bird Records
• ASIN: B0013KCCMA
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,963 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #93 in Music > Rock > Power Pop

Editorial Reviews

2008 reissue of this lost classic from the British Invasion favorites. Originally issued in 1981, this is another fine collection of Power Pop, Jangle Pop and straight ahead melodic Rock from a band that may have been past their commercial prime, but they were definitely ahead of their game, creatively and musically. Features 'Almost Saturday Night', 'Radio Romance', 'September Gurls' and more. Wounded Bird.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still Relevant, July 28, 2008

By 

Brian J. Greene "djbrian" (Durham, NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love's Melodies (Audio CD)

This fine record proves the Searchers were still relevant in the late 70s/early 80s. Perhaps one of the most under-appreciated 60s bands (at least here in the U.S. - I think they have always gotten more of their due in their native UK), the Searchers made arresting jangle pop and Beat tracks and were a major influence on both the Beatles and the Byrds, et al. Their version of the oft-played "Needles and Pins" is the definite one, and has a great edge on it that not even the Ramones equaled. Here, they are in a later phase of their career, and doing some very effective power pop. The opener, "Silver," as well as the title track, could be played right next to the Dwight Twilley Band's debut, or Badfinger, and stand up just fine. Their cover of Big Star's "September Gurls" in not quite there, but they gave credit for having the cool to know the song long before most of the rest of the world got on the Chilton bandwagon. Fine record, fans of power pop should jump on this reissue.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lost gem, June 24, 2010

By 

Music maven (Amherst, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love's Melodies (Audio CD)

The Searchers were never known as a band that wrote its own material, which, during the reign of the Beatles, was a decided drawback. But over the long haul it turns out to be an asset. While songwriters eventually run dry--even the Beatles were putting out pretty weak stuff toward the end--a band like the Searchers could pick and choose the strongest material around and always put out great records. This one is, in my opinion, their best. Every song is a winner, and their performances make the most of each one. And one of the nice things about this recording is that they chose songs written in the late 70s and 80s that carried forward that Mersey sound and 60s sensibility. And even where they don't do much to change the original, they perform it with such gusto and charm that it seems fresh. All in all a wonderful record that never got its due.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN, September 20, 2009

By 

OLD GUY. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love's Melodies (Audio CD)

Straight in with Silver by Dave Paul. Perfect entry. Infatuation by Randy Bishop. She Made a Fool of You by Moon Martin. Great electric sound. These are all rather hip song choices of the period by the way. Very current writers and sounds. They have a couple of their own here as they did on The Searchers--the Sire records. Little Bit of Heaven and Another Night. God, I wish they had done more. They have a powerful style and superb playing chops. They just had it going. For me these two songs are worth having the record. Almost Saturday Night by Fogerty also gets the treatment. I'm telling you, these guys were one of the tightest outfits ever. Certainly an education for new musicians coming up. The title tune revs up with drums and their trademark twelve string melody--an Andy McMasters tune. Up next Everything But a Heartbeat (Will Birch, Ritchie Bull). Radio Romance (Will Birch, Paul Shuttleworth, Vic Collins)--wish there had been more radios playing this stuff. Even has a Chilton song. They always knew where to go for tunefulness. Perhaps one of their prime talents. These two Sire recordings are essential in my collection. They sound fresh and new each time. I have great respect for their work. Too smart to ignore.