Various - Kids On The Street - UK Power Pop and New Wave 1977-1981

  by Tommy Gunnarsson

published: 7 / 1 / 2023

Label: Cherry Red Records
Format: CD Box

intro

Eagerly-awaited follow-up to the much acclaimed ‘Harmony In My Head which packs three CDs full of smashing UK punk pop and new wave goodness

Four years ago, Cherry Red released the much lauded compilation ‘Harmony In My Head’, which consisted of four hours of British power pop and new wave from the late 70s and early 80s, and now it’s time for the sequel, named after the Stiffs song that kicks off the first of the three CDs. So, three more discs jam packed with great power pop and new wave tracks, and as usual we’re treated to both well-known songs (for instance ‘Treason’ by The Teardrop Explodes, ‘Into The Valley’ by The Skids and ‘Accidents Will Happen’ by Elvis Costello and his Attractions) and some really obscure, deep cuts, some of them probably available on CD for the first time ever here. Listening to this compilation, as well as other similar box sets covering the same scene, makes me realise how seamless the transformation from punk to power pop and new wave was. Sure, the latter ‘genres’ are often more radio friendly and more likely to climb the singles charts, but some of the songs here would probably be called ‘punk’ by most people. Listen to ‘Babylon’s Burning’ by The Ruts, ‘This Time’ by The Wasps and ‘Set Me Free’ by The Tinopeners and you’ll hear what I mean. But there are also tracks on these three discs that are clearly not punk, like the aforementioned Costello song, ‘Silicon Carne’ by The Monochrome Set, and ‘Doubleback Alley’ by Neil Innes and Eric Idle’s brilliant Beatles pastiche The Rutles (even though I’m not really sure how it ended up on this compilation). Sure, with all those songs, not all of them can be 10 pointers, but at the same time you need a few curiosities to have a continuously interesting listening experience. On this compilation you get some of that from songs like ‘Gina (I’ve Got a Cortina)’ by Salford Jets and ‘Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Follow Trends’ by Teenage Filmstars, which of course was one of many disguises for Ed Ball, one of the founding members of Television Personalities and The Times (the latter actually being a later incarnation of Teenage Filmstars). As always, it’s a joy to listen to these compilations, and with the track-by-track notes and sleeve photos in the booklet, you’ve got everything you need for some hours of punk pop listening pleasure!

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