Shambles REVIEWS and Press - Check back often for updates.
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Anna Troy and Spring Collection Reviews in the San Diego Troubadour:
http://www.sandiegotroubadour.com/content/cdreviews/cdreviews.aspx
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Shambles in San Diego Reader music section:
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/dec/01/hot-concerts-this-week-k23-orchest ra-farewell-show/
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North County Times review:
http://trageser.com/music/album-shambles.php
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"20 Explosive Hits"
The Shambles
Black Cherry Group
Any other group recording songs such as the Who's "Is It in My Head?" or Elton John's "Harmony" as part of a CD of covers would likely title the album something along the lines of "Lost Nuggets." But such is the off-center musical taste of the members of San Diego's resident modsters the Shambles that the title "20 Explosive Hits" on their new collection of covers is probably not even ironic. They do a nice job of capturing the '60s vibe of most of the songs here ---- the guitars jangle and the vocal harmonies are spot-on. The songs come from the 1950s (Connie Francis!) through the '90s (a cover of Oasis' "She's Electric"), but everything they tackle is filtered through their mod sensibility ---- there isn't a track here that wouldn't fit comfortably on an Austin Powers soundtrack. The most intriguing track is the last, a live medley of hits from San Diego bands, taking in Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," the Cascades' "Rhythm of the Rain," "Meant to Live" by Switchfoot and the Monroes' "What Do All the People Know?" It's a nice, enthusiastic nod to some of the biggest bands to come out of San Diego. B+
-North County Times
20 Explosive Hits
The Shambles
The Shambles' fifth full-length release is a loving tribute to the classic K-Tel multi-artist albums of the 1970's! “20 Explosive Hits”, is a bit of a misleading title since it gathers 21 prime cover tunes from throughout their career, plus a 4-song medley. With their catalog currently out of print, this is the only way to find them putting their stamp on songs by The Who ("Is It In My Head"), Jeremy ("It's Getting Better"), Squire ("Does Stephanie Know?"), Oasis ("She's Electric"), The Monkees ("Daily Nightly"), The Beatles ("Fixing A Hole"), The Jam ("But I'm Different Now"), The Zombies ("You Make Me Feel Good"), Connie Francis ("Warm This Winter"), The Understones ("It's Going To Happen"), Ringo Starr ("Snookeroo"), Rain Parade ("You Are My Friend"), The Birds ("Leavin' Here"), The Raspberries ("Might As Well") and more! Many of the tracks make an appearance on a Shambles release for the first time, with the whole thing capped off by the band’s infamous “San Diego Medley” live aural compilation of San Diego related hit songs ("In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", "Rhythm Of The Rain", "Meant To Live", and "What Do All The People Know"). The rough medley was taped, off the cuff, at the end of a session at Strate Sound Studios, for FM94.9’s "Pyles Sessions" show, helmed by Tim Pyles. GREAT!!!!
-Kool Kat Music Distribution / USA
20 Explosive Hits
The Shambles
The Shambles are back with a new release for 2008!!! These San Diego giants have just made one of the best albums of their career. Amazingly, they are one of the best power pop bands on the planet and here on "20 Explosive Hits" the band take on all cover songs doing a superb job. They make the songs all their own covering diverse artists such as... The Monkees, The Turtles, The Who, Neil Diamond, The Raspberries, Jeremy, Oasis, The Jam, The Birds, Rain Parade, Sam Phillips, Elton John, Ringo Starr, The Beatles, The Zombies, and many others. You won't be disappointed with this album. Ironically, "20 explosive Hits" actually has 22 tracks!!! The album is crammed packed with one great hit after another done only as The Shambles can do! Buy it now while supplies last!!!! It's Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!!!
-JAM Distribution / USA
20 Explosive Hits
The Shambles
Information: The Shambles are back with a new release for 2008!!! With this release the band take on all cover songs...The Monkees, The Turtles, The Who, Neil Diamond, The Raspberries, Jeremy, The Jam, The Birds, Rain Parade, Sam Phillips, Elton John, Ringo Starr, The Beatles, The Zombies, and many others. Finally, "20 explosive Hits" actually has 22 tracks!!!
Price: £12.99 Product Code: SHAX3
- Heyday Distribution / England
Miscellaneous Press:
Staring at the Sun, Dave Humphries, Anna Troy Press!
03/26/08 Citybeat - gives the SATSVI show a nice mention
in the "Nightgeist" column. Dave Humphries album is also
reviewed.
03/27/08 Night & Day - devotes half of George Varga’s
column to the show
and we have to mention Anna Troy’s wonderful article in
the San Diego Union
2/10/08 - San Diego Union - by George Varga
Both the Casbah and M-Theory Records also highlighted
thier mailouts with the show.
March 2008 Pacific Magazine – Bart interviewed on favorite clothing w/pic of
“Forty One Sixty”
February 10, 2008 Union Tribune article about Anna Troy. Bart has a mention.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080210/news_1a10viewm.html
Press
May 2007 San Diego Metropolitan Newspaper – The Shambles get a name check in an
article about San Diego Soundscape
June 2007 The Troubadour - An excellent picture of The Shambles at Artwalk, is
on the Troubadours back page of the June Issue (w/ Dave Howard cover story)
June 12 Citybeat – The bands show at House of Blues on June 19 rates as Plan B,
to Norah Jones Plan A.
June 14 SignOn San Diego – Street – An article about Dizzy’s temporary shut down
includes a pic of the band on it’s stage.
July The Troubadour - The Shambles get a blurb and a pic in a story on IPO.
July 2007 Misty Lane – Bart interview on The Shambles
July 19 Sign On San Diego -The Shambles get a name check in an article on this
years Pride celebration
July 27 Ansia De Color – The Shambles have an article with pic, plus a song on
the accompanying CD
October 4 The Reader – Bart is interviewed in an article on San Diego music
history, specifically on Wings 1976 concert.
October 11 2007 The Reader – The band is name checked in an article on Adam
Gimbel’s Music trivia night
November 2007 The Troubadour – two pictures of the band in “Local Seen.”
ONLINE:
Hipcrank.com:
I WOULD WRITE A THOUSAND WORDS (The Beautiful Music)
Volume two of an expected (gasp) ten volume tribute set to the much loved
Television Personalities, picks up exactly where Volume One left off: cramming
tewnty-something disparate tracks by a surprising range of performers, then
sneaking in a bonus disc just in case your TVP fix wasn't complete. Which, for
folks out of the know, begs the question: what the hell is going on here, who
the hell are the Television Personalities, and does Pearl Jam know about this?
Well, anyone hearing the hypnotizing clever quirk pop emanating from Dan Treacy
will set you straight. There's just something magical about the tunes, something
that begs anyone with any musical leanings to play the damn stuff. So here we
are: Volume Two and we're barely getting started. Bookended by two wonderful
versions of "If I Could Write Poetry" (the dreamy stringed section version by
The Shambles, and the stark dreamy version by the late Nikki Sudden), Volume 2
craftily mixes new and old performances, known and osbcure, fun and serious.
It's a wonderful mix of excellent performances, daring versions and some
charmingly iffy moments (all much like the TVP themselves), and a testament to
the power and diversity of one of Britain's most overlooked songsmiths (Dan
Treacy). Keep up your collection whatever you do.
03/22/07 North County Times - "The Young Idea: A Tribute to Squire"
Review featuring both The Shambles and Spring Collection.
03/31/07 North County Times - Bart gets a name check in a review of
Rachael Gordon's new album, "Rock 'n' Roll Girl"
04/18/07 Citybeat Plan A SLSD3
04/19/07 San Diego Union Tribune / Night & Day SLSD3 + pic of Anna Troy
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Staring at The Sun V Project Press (band related interviews):
02/21/07 Downtown News (SATSV Overview + pic of Anna Troy)
02/21/07 Citybeat Plan A
02/21/07 North County Times (interview plus pic of Bart & Chuck)
02/22/07 San Diego Union Tribune / Night & Day Also of Note
02/22/07 Peninsula Beacon (SATSV Overview + pic of Anna Troy)
02/28/07 Citybeat Plan A
03/08/07 Downtown News (SATSV Overview + pics of Four Eyes, Berkley Hart)
03/01/07 Presidio Sentinel
04/01/07 Presidio Sentinel (album review + interview)
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North County Times review of the Squire Tribute cd:
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/03/22/entertainment/music/10_25_233_21_07.txt
POP/ROCK
B+ "The Young Idea: A Pop Tribute to Anthony Meynell and Squire"
Various artists
Twistus3 Records
A tribute to a fairly obscure revival band? Only the mods could come up
with such a concept ---- and pull it off with such a fresh, fun sound.
In the late '70s and early '80s, a mod revival was reinterpreting the
sounds of the mid-'60s Who and Small Faces with punk and new wave
influences. While the Jam was the best-known of the mod revivalists,
there were plenty of less-famous bands at the time ---- among them one
Anthony Meynell and his band, Squire. Formed in Guildford, England, in
the late '70s, Squire put out a series of singles before breaking up. In
1985, Meynell moved to San Diego, where he joined up with the
still-booming mod revival going on here.
But by the late '80s, even mod-friendly San Diego was no longer the hub
it once had been and the mod revival scene had basically died out, the
once-young hip modsters grown up.
Grown up, perhaps, but still modsters at heart. San Diego's Bart Mendoza
and his band, the Shambles, are among the more than a dozen bands on "The
Young Idea," a new tribute to Squire. Every song was written by Meynell,
and the bands range from San Diego to Australia to Meynell's native
England. The production is consistently top-notch throughout, and the
arrangements have that bright, sunny pop-rock sound that defines mod.
And then there's this: Meynell wrote some really terrific little pop
songs. Maybe they didn't get on the mainstream charts, but there's a
reason a dozen bands from around the world were willing to donate time
and energy to re-recording these tunes.
The Shambles, one of the bands featured on this album, perform Tuesday
(March 27, 2007) at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.
---- Jim Trageser
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The Shambles have a mention in this Dagger review:
http://www.indiepages.com/dagger/reviews.html
(see the Reviews section dated 02/06/06)
V/A- INTO THE JET STREAM OF POP- THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC- Reviewed the Television
Personalities tribute cd (that these folks released ) last week and here’s another fine release from this
Canadian label. It looks like one of the Jet Set comps that Siesta Records released (or something on
the el’ label) with shots of Pan Am jets, stewardesses straight offa Carnaby Street and a batch of cool
music. And when you can get together a stable of pop bands as delicious as The Loch Ness Mouse
(Norway), June Brides (UK), Shambles (USA), The Higher Elevations (Sweden) and NYC’s The
Baskervilles then you know your great to lame ratio is gonna be pretty high. I also discovered a few
new faves here in the likes of Summer Factory and Sugarplum. The Beautiful Music label is off to a
great start.
( www.thebeautifulmusic.com )
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Review of The Spring Collection from Dagger website -
http://www.indiepages.com/dagger/reviews.html 12/10/05 Reviews section:
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THE SPRING COLLECTION- S/T- BLINDSPOT- I’m always amazed at bands
who manage to come up with fresh songs doing the classic Beatles/Beach Boys/Byrds
format of jangly pop. In essence , you could say, yes, it has ! all been done before but
a great song is a great song and a solid batch of 16 songs is a solid batch of 16 songs
and San Diego’s The Spring Collection have done it in glowing fashion. The band is led
by singer/songwriter Joe Mendoza (his brother Bart, also in The Shambles among other
bands, plays bass ) the band has their chops down and Joe seems to come up with a
never-ending supply of chewy hooks for us listeners to sink our buck teeth into.
“On and On”, “Something Happened”, “You’re the One”, “Going Away”, the list goes
on and on. If you like the type of music usually championed on labels like Not lame,
Paisley Pop, Jam, and the like then this will indeed perk your ears up.
(mendozab@juno.com )
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Review by Lee Zimmerman from the September/October 2005, Issue 50 of Amplifier
Magazine, page 71:
Various Artists
Jam On Jeremy
Ear Theory
This is your life, Jeremy Morris! At least that's what it sounds like from the glowing
verbal accolades that kick off this tribute to one of power pop's most gifted pundits.
While the admirers focus on Morris' generosity of spirit, the 14 songs that follow
center the attention on the music itself; a lush, breathlessly effervescent sound that
betrays a variety of classic references. Lisa Mychols' "Pop Rules" sound like a
dead-on redo of "R.O.C.K. in The U.S.A." while The Shambles' take on "It's
Getting Better" recasts the Who's version of "Summertime Blues," retaining the roar
of it's Keith Moon-like percussion. On the other hand, while "Highway To Heaven"
may be reminiscent of the ACDC anthem, The Ringles' rendition of the Morris song
suggests a road with simpler access. In fact, as Herb Eimerman, Phil Angotti, and
the rest of this devoted assemblage make clear, these songs are more about beauty
than bluster. "You're Not Alone" tugs a the heartstrings, "Happy Helmut" is lush and
effusive, and "Love Is Alive" reflects its reassuring moniker. In these troubled times,
such sunny sentiments are a welcome respite. Jam on Jeremy, indeed.
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From Eric Sorensen's August 2005 column at fufkin.com:
Does San Diego pop icon Bart Mendoza ever rest? Bart was kind
enough to send me another compilation of recent recordings by
the Spring Collection, Rachel Gordon, Static Halo, Mission to
Mars and several of Bart's solo demos. There is no shortage of
jangly riffs on the featured songs. Pop fans should keep an
eye out for forthcoming releases that will include the works
of the aforementioned artists. "Better With You" by the Spring
Collection is pure pop confection. Long may you run, Sir Bart
… and mates!
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The Shambles "All Sorts" was included in Anya Marina's 20 "Recommended
from FM94.9" in the July 2005 issue of Music Matters Magazine, page 26.
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The Shambles turn up twice in John Borack's Distortion column featured in
Amplifier Magazine #49 July-Aug 2005 both times as mentions about their
contributions to recent tribute albums for Jeremy Morris and Neil
Diamond. In regard to the Neil Diamond Tribute, "The only reasons to pick up the
otherwise dreadful (album)." According to Borack, Jeremy Morris is the other
contender.
That same issue sports these words from Borack on the Spring Collections' debut
album. The review explains more: "Ending this issues raving is a BIG
thumbs up to the Spring Collection, whose self titled album is sure to be
a contender for top ten honors come the end of the year. Led by
singer/songwriter Joe Mendoza (his brother Bart, of mod popsters The
Shambles, guests on bass), the Collection specializes in chiming,
charming powerpop, combining early Byrds like guitars with Shoes-y vocals
to create quite the creamy dreamy concoction. 16 tracks of wholesome pop
goodness, sent from the heavens. Plus, it features a kick *** power pop
cover of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" to boot! Get this one, trust
me."
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The Spring Collection "The Spring Collection" (Blindspot Records) What we
have here is a very promising debut album from an Encinitas, California
band that pops in all the right places at all the right times. Armed with
an impressive pedigree, The Spring Collection stars the talents of singer
and songwriter Joe Mendoza, guitarist Derek Duplessie of The Rarities and
drummer Mike Kamoo, whose resume involves stints with The Stereotypes and
The Melanies. As well, Joe's brother, Bart Mendoza of Manual Scan and The
Shambles fame, appears on the disc, playing bass and providing background
vocals. Each track on "The Spring Collection" is strong, honest and
inspired. A crack combination of infectious energy and catchy hooks rule
the turf on power popping tunes such as "But I Did" and "A Little Bit Of
Me." A plumped up cover of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" also graces
the record. If bands like The Searchers, The Byrds and Gin Blossoms ring
your senses, then you're sure to appreciate "The Spring Collection" and
its many charms.
Beverly Paterson / Twist & Shake July 2005
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Excerpt from Mike Bennett's June 2005 column at fufkin.com
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Various Artists -- Jam On Jeremy (Ear Theory):
Starting off with Lisa Mychols' fine take on "Pop Rules", this
album radiates happy melodic vibes, with plenty of guitars.
Then there's the excellent work turned in by Lolas (who are
part of Jeremy's Jam Records stable), who, by law, should be
required to appear on all power pop tribute albums. The
riff-a-riffic "I'm Flying" is tailor made for the ebullient
sound of Tim Boykin and crew. Phil Angotti is another Jam
Records artist who scores, as the gentle "Love is Alive" is in
the vein of Badfinger...or for that matter, Angotti. Kat
Parsons gives Jeremy the piano chanteuse treatment on "You're
Not Alone", which is an anthem of empathy that provides strong
insight into Morris as a person. Pretty sentiments, lovingly
rendered. But Jeremy is a rocker, and The Shambles provide
proof with "It's Getting Better", infusing some Who doing
"Summertime Blues" into the proceedings.
jamrecordings.com
Copyright © 2000-2005 Fufkin.com. All Rights Reserved. | P.O. Box 7420, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL USA 33338-7420
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Excerpt from Eric Sorensen's June 2005 column at fufkin.com
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Ear Theory Recordings has just released a fifteen-track tribute to
Jeremy, entitled Jam On Jeremy. It goes without saying that
there are plenty of chiming, ringing guitars on the tribute
disc tracks. My favorites include "Chain Reaction" by Ed
James, "It's Getting Better" by the Shambles, "Highway To
Heaven" By the Ringles, "I'm Flying" by the Lolas and "Walking
In The Sunshine" by Herb Eimerman. A big thumb's up to Gary
Pig Gold, the artists and the indie pop personalities who
contributed lovingly to this upbeat compilation!
Copyright © 2000-2005 Fufkin.com. All Rights Reserved. | P.O. Box 7420, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL USA 33338-7420
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from Dagger #36, Spring 2005 issue:
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V/A WEST OF EDEN - ZIP - The usually reliable Zip Records is back
with yet another comp, this time you have 17 songs by California
bands. It's not all the labels familiar power-pop either. You have more
rock stuff from The Muffs, Carlos!, and The Paranoids. More Power-
pop stuff from The Well-Wishers, The Shambles, and Caroline NO
and then something in-between from PersEPhone's Bees, Fields of
Gaffney, and The Chantigs. Nice variations on the pop format.
(www.ziprecords.com)
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Excerpt from Eric Sorensen's May 2005 column at fufkin.com
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Two recent tribute discs with catchy cover tracks are A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You:
An Indie Tribute to Neil Diamond and Friends And Lovers: Songs of Bread. My favorite
cuts from the Neil Diamond tribute disc are "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" by Jeremy
Morris, "Thank The Lord For The Nighttime" by the Shambles and "Cherry, Cherry" by
Danny Dean & The Homewreckers. The top song on the Bread tribute disc is Ken
Stringfellow's version of "Down On My Knees."
Speaking of the Shambles, the prolific Bart Mendoza has been busy with tribute tracks
(including "Whatever Happened To Saturday Night" for the forthcoming Buffalo Springfield
tribute disc), a kiddie track entitled "Wouldn't You Like To Be A Bear?" for a San Diego
fundraiser disc, and other original tracks. With Bart busy in the recording studio, no one
should doubt whether pop music is alive and well in San Diego!
Copyright © 2000-2005 Fufkin.com. All Rights Reserved. | P.O. Box 7420, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL USA 33338-7420
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Excerpt from Eric Sorensen's April 2005 column at fufkin.com
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Another compilation, Any Time Any Wave, features 18 artists
doing versions of songs from the New Wave era. My favorite
tracks are "Oliver's Army" by the Imposibles and "Does
Stephanie Know?" by the Shambles. Long may you run, Sir Bart
Mendoza!
Copyright © 2000-2005 Fufkin.com. All Rights Reserved. | P.O. Box 7420, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL USA 33338-7420
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More Recent Review Excerpts:
…"Warm This Winter" by The Shambles surges forth as another outstanding track on
the collection, with its assured delivery and pronounced hooks…” - Beverly
Paterson reviews the track from This is R ‘n’ R Radio Music Dish March 12 2005
San Diego's The Shambles are one of pop's hidden secrets, and this Bart Mendoza
led band doesn't disappoint with the short and sweet heavenly jangle of "All
Sorts". – Mike Bennett reviews the West of Eden track in the Fufkin Capsule
Reviews April 2005
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John Borack's review of THIS IS ROCK AND ROLL RADIO from the Feb. 2005 edition of fufkin.com
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Various Artists: This is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 1 (JAM
Records)
This one's a 29-track collection of juicy power pop nuggets
from various members of the indie pop underground. In addition
to being an ace CD in its own right, it also serves as a nifty
companion to a cooler-than-cool radio show called THIS IS ROCK
'N' ROLL RADIO, broadcast on Sunday nights from 9:00pm -
midnight (EST) on WXXE in Syracuse, NY and on the web at
www.wxxe.org. The perpetrators of the show---and the fine
CD---are veteran music journalist/all-around swell guy Carl
Cafarelli and his trusty sidekick Dana Bonn, who have loaded
up THIS IS ROCK AND ROLL RADIO, VOLUME 1 with song after song
of punchy guitars, shiny harmonies and melodies that are
catchier than (insert your favorite cliche here).
Many of the genre's top artists are present and accounted for,
including late, lamented Australian pop titans DM3 (who offer
up the mighty "1 x 2 x Devastated"), Jamie Hoover and Bill
Lloyd (the slinky "Screen Time"), the Flashcubes (Cafarelli's
longtime fave rave, who contribute a rockin' 'lil homage
called "Carl, You Da Man"), Chris von Sneidern (the
super-catchy "Lonely Tonight") and The Lolas (the
previously-unreleased "Sticker").
Other favorites on TIRARR are San Diego mod-popsters The
Shambles, whose speedy "Warm This Winter" may just be the best
thing they've ever done; The Kennedys' sprightly, faithful
cover of The Beatles' "And Your Bird Can Sing," which is
fortified by Maura Kennedy's sexy vocals; Jeremy Morris'
heartfelt "What God Wants"; The Finkers' chiming, charming
"Last Thing on My Mind"; and an alternate version of the
Rooks' "Sometimes," which is grittier and punchier than the
original take. Oh, and some group called The Popdudes also
make an appearance with the Robbie Rist-sung "Desperation
Time."
All in all, a great CD that fans of the power pop genre and
newbies alike should enjoy.
Copyright © 2000-2005 Fufkin.com. All Rights Reserved. | P.O. Box 7420, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL USA 33338-7420
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Review of WEST OF EDEN by Rick Schadelbauer from Amplifier Magazine #46, Jan/Feb 2005 issue
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Though California is still a golden state of mind, finding its true essence is
definitely more complex than it was in the days when the brothers Wilson sang of
sun, sand and surf. The California sound is far less easily defined now as well
– long gone is the time when one could drop the needle on a Mamas and Papas
record and practically feel the warmth of the sun and smell the citrus groves.
San Francisco-based Zip Records has come as close as anybody to capturing the
essence of the dawn-of-the-21st century left coast sound on West of Eden, a
seventeen-track bolt of sunshine (on such a winter's day). In the "wish they all
could be California girls" department, Ana Waronker's "California Fade" recalls
Susana Hoffs minus the litlle girl vocal affections, and the Muff's "Even Now"
sails along on Kim Shattuck's near perfect pop voice. Lisa Mychols'
farfisa-fueled "Out of My Mind", with its gritty, distorted vocals, rocks harder
than almost anything else in her formidable recorded oeuvre. Not to be outdone
by the ladies, power pop veterans The Rubinoos contribute their take on Burt
Bacharach's "My Little Red Book" – though uncharacteristically keyboard driven,
it's still unmistakably the 'noos. The Well Wishers' "Something on Your Mind" is
a melodic tip of the Stetson to the Bakersfield sound. Best of all, though, is
The Shambles' "All Sorts", which brilliantly ties together everything wonderful
about the California sound – jangly guitars, ethereal harmonies, wryly sarcastic
lyrics – in a tidy two minutes thirty-eight seconds.
http://www.ziprecords.com for more info or pick it up from Not Lame or Jam
Recordings!
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Reviews of What You're Missing and Chelsea Smiles from Torpedo Records
http://www.torpedopop.com/reviewss.htm
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THE SHAMBLES
What You're Missing [Snap]
The addition to the title of this album says “a collection of out of
print rarities, hard to find album tracks, outtakes, demos and live
recordings” which gives a pretty clear idea that this is a must-have
for the fans, but it's also a good introduction of the Shambles'
musical profile for the uninformed.
One of their most obvious characteristics is the combination of the
most diverse '60s influences painted with a bit of some modern
shades with a special emphasis on minor chords which results in a
recognizable sound besides the obvious inspirations.
David Bash, one of the renowned journalists of the modern pop order,
gave a very picturesque comment on the visual effect that the band
left on him and it was something like this: “Bart Mendoza
(voc./guitar) would be easy to imagine in the Yardbirds' '65 line
up, Mark Z. (bass), the embodyment of Paul Kantner's "surrealistic"
picture from '67 and Kevin Donaker Ring (solo guitar) as an image of
some '69-prog band member who'd just discovered the thrill of
recording albums of seven (?!?!)-songs equally disposed over the
double vinyl”.
During his career, Mendoza earned the tag of one of the most
important faces in the process of forming the San Diego
neo-mod/sixties/power-pop scene, while the Shambles represent some
kind of a culmination, gathering the members from a couple of it's
most important bands (The Manual Scan, The Tell-Tale Hearts, The
Crawdaddys, The Hoods ...) with the ever-changing drum stool men.
Besides the eight years long career, thanks to their uncompromising
attitude and the non-understanding labels, The Shambles' discography
is made only of two albums consisting of recordings from various
periods (one of them is a Japan-only release!) and countless
compilation and tribute-album appearances all over the world.
This is a collection of those “throw overs” with a couple of covers
that perfectly represent the variety of influences like The Birds'
version of the mod-classic Leaving Here, the pure pop of The
Merseys' Sorrow , the Count Five's garage-punk dynamite Psychotic
Reaction, some '70s jewels like the Raspberries' Might As Well, the
quadrophenic Is It In My Head, Elton John's Harmony surprise or the
post-new wave classics But I'm Different Now by The Jam and It's
Going To Happen by the Undertones.
Of course, the real treasure of the album are Bart's originals, the
mod-pop wonders Innocence Becomes You and (She's used to playing
with) Fire with a moderate amount of r'n'b ingredients, comparable
to the similar Zombie-efforts (I Love You, Indication, Whenever
You're Ready...), the funky-charged bullet called Changes, worthy of
THE “revolver” and Paul's most inspirative bass parts, The Wonders'
inspired A Short Spiral (Will Tell) , Delve Into Everything,
intended for the Monkees reanimation and two more great
Squire-tributes, Does Stephanie Know and It's Mod Mod world.
If you think that your time has gone away some 35 years ago, The
Shambles are exactly “What You're Missing”!
GORAN OBRADOVIC
/ POPISM
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THE SHAMBLES
Chelsea Smiles (and more) [Snap]
Even though it's a re-release of a six-song E.P. from 1997, this
album will surely find it's place on many year lists, because of the
whole bunch of bonuses, and even extra bonuses, adding a brand new
musical experience.
Like always, The Shambles keep that fine line between being a
sixteez revival band and a regular moderndaze act, and therefore
fulfiling the desires of both moptop-heads and contemporary
power-pop fans, and still digging that recognisable “Graham
gouldmines” of no-chorus pop concept.
The first half of the audience is treated with the band's
exceptional Zombiefied sense of Brit-melodies, combined with the
U.S. garage sounds, realised through the tunes like A Short Spiral,
recalling the r'n'beat of “some other guys”, The Waiting Game,
sounding like a sophisticated take on mid-'60s punk, complete with
the genre-defining guitar riff, or the bluesy-pop sound of Child's
Play, spiced with some fine bass-rolling by Mark Z. On the other
hand, the classic power-pop fans will find themselves move to the
groove of Blurs Somewhere, Fear or Grace Intervenes.
The covers-section mirrors a real fine record collection. When
covering a song like The Turtles' Happy Together, equaling the
original is not likely to happen too often, and that's exactly what
happens here! Then, there's an almost obvious choice for a band like
this, but ........ they're clever enough to chose the Betty Everett
original of You're No Good instead of the 'Jeans moody Merseybeat
version, making it not so obvious after all.
I don't know about you, but only 50 seconds of Sonny Curtis' Love Is
All Around are more than enough to make my day, and while we're
still back in time, there's the fellow San Diegans', The Cascades'
Rhythm Of The Rain, here in it's ultimate folky-pop rendition, as
well as Mike Nesmith's “revolver” called Daily Nightly.
Climbing up the time-ladder, you'll also hear generous tributes to
the likes of Los Bravos, Interview and even Oasis and The Cardigans.
Anyway, there's such a variety of sounds goin' on here, that you
just can't miss with this record. It will surely make you smile no
matter if you're in Chelsea or wherever in the world!
GORAN OBRADOVIC
/ POPISM
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Spring Collection mention from Eric Sorensen's top cds of 2004 list:
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THE SPRING COLLECTION - The Spring Collection (self-released;
available from Not Lame) Joe Mendoza, with help from brother
Bart (of the Shambles), has released an exceptional disc that
is overflowing with jangly tracks - including a Byrdsian
version of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight." Think Shoes,
Records and Shambles.
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Spring Collection review from Eric Sorensen's January 2005 column:
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The Spring Collection - by the Spring Collection. I cannot say
enough about this terrific disc! The album cover and insert
photos picture an assortment of Rickenbacker guitars and an
acoustic 12-string guitar - so this is a clue regarding the
contents. Joe Mendoza, with support from brother Bart Mendoza
(of the Shambles), is the driving force in this band - that,
too, is a clue regarding the contents. This disc jangles from
start to finish - with two tracks that will compete for Song
of the Month honors ("But, I Did" and "Wonderful Tonight" - a
power pop take on Eric Clapton's ballad). America's Finest
City has provided the indie pop community with an album that
truly represents the sunshine pop of Southern California. Long
may you run, Sir Joe and bandmates!
Copyright © Fufkin.com. All Rights Reserved.
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Eric Sorensen's review of Rachael Gordon's "The Coming of Spring" in the February
2003 issue of his column at fufkin.com:
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"The Coming of Spring - by Rachel Gordon. Move over Sam Phillips, Aimee
Mann, Susanna Hoffs, Maura Kennedy and Amy Rigby … and make room for
another refreshing female voice in the indie pop ranks. Rachel Gordon has
released a 14-song debut disc that is a pop fan’s delight … and
three-fourths of the tunes feature jangly and chiming guitar riffs! That
makes this a highly captivating disc. Rachel gets plenty of studio support
from an All-Star San Diego cast that includes Bart Mendoza, Ray Brandes,
Hector Penalosa and A.J. Croce. “Hearts Will Be Broken,” by John Wicks and
the Records, is among the cover tunes included on the album; several
“Starry Eyes” riffs are also sprinkled into “Almost.” The Coming of Spring
is a joy to listen to. The combination of Rachel’s great voice, a terrific
selection of mid-tempo tunes, and lots of jangly guitars should hook
plenty of fans for Ms. Gordon. Kudos to the indie label Sounds of
Subterrania (www.soundsofsubterrania.com) for releasing this gem of an
album."
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