Search - It Came from the Suburbs :: It Came from the Suburbs: Rare Teen Rock from the Kennedy Era

Ace Records continue to exploit the fascinatingly quirky Downey Records catalogue. This is the second in a series presenting the Southern Californian label's output by genre. While the much-lauded first comp was an instrumental collection, "Intoxica!" (CDCHD 1114), this is a rock`n'roll collection that refuses to draw any genre lines, as long as it all fits within the context of the "Big Beat". "It Came From The Suburbs" started with the working title of "Downey Teens", and although not as evocative, that working title said it all. This collection brings us doo wop (including some unreleased rarities), quasi-rockabilly, teen ballads, honking R&B strollers, novelty pop and more, creating a patchwork of teen music from the Kennedy era, the strange years leading up to the Beatles and the British Invasion. All that's missing is Wolfman Jack and a cheese-burger with large fries and a vanilla malt. Yes, we have resurrected American Graffiti, but with no Golden Oldies! It's the right timeframe, but in time-honoured Ace style, this comp brings the world rarities. The Downey vaults excavation continues to bring straight-from-the-master tape quality, and we keep discovering that the released sides (and the two or three hits on the label) were only a small part of the Downey story.