perfect unpop

When the Perfect Unpop comp hit the site a few months ago, it went relatively unmentioned around these parts. I’ve been loving it — and re-loving it each time I return. For reasons unknown/unexplainable, I haven’t big up’d it here, but that all changes today!

Coming from the essential Cherry Red, Perfect Unpop is billed as “Peel Show Hits And Long Lost Lo-Fi Favourites, 1976-80″ — which, for a certain brand of music nerd (ME! ME!) is like yelling, “FREE MONEY!” The m.o. here is spiky, melodic punk and power-pop, albeit…lo-fi. Obviously.

There are some (possibly) familiar names and some (possibly) unfamiliar names: everyone from post-punk types (Young Marble Giants, Kleenex, Au Pairs) to actual punk types (Vibrators, The Boys) to all the nickel-store guitar types in between. Honestly, it’s a somewhat staggering embarrassment of riches.

A brief rundown of favorites after the jump.

Subway Sect “Ambition”: Instant killer complete with bouncy organ and Vic Godard’s off-kilter/Sound of Scotland warble — it’s a punk stomper with a soul heart.

Mo-Dettes “White Mice”: Slightly dubbed-out, Slits/Blondie-esque post-punk. The whole thing sounds so exciting it’s tripping over itself.

Outcasts “Self-Conscious Over You”: ’50s malt shop sentiments over a super scratchy sounding, hip-shakin’ punk swinger. Handclaps on the chorus, even! Undeniable.

The Tights “Bad Hearts”: A tight little four-chord punk number, but the reverb’d vocals give it a nice proto-powerpop feel.

The Boys “Brickfield Nights”: I love love love the Boys. This is from their second album and co-opts the ever-co-opted “Be My Baby” drumbeat for a big-beat punk-pop anthem that was like if “My Sharona” wasn’t annoying. Check out The Collection to nab both of the Boys first two albums at once. They’re both fantastic. (Bonus: These guys were clearly huge inspirations to the Exploding Hearts, who’s Guitar Romantic is one of my favorite albums of any genre…ever.)