Mostly mediocre stuff, but there's at least one great song
Laszlo Matyas | 12/29/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"If nothing else, this disc is worth purchasing for the Baytovens' "Waiting For You," a wistful slice of teenage pop with yearning vocals and a beautiful guitar line. It manages to sidestep the clichés and melodramas of most garage pop, and as such compares very favorably with the Dovers. Outside of that song, there are a few other excellent finds- Peter Wheat & The Breadmen's rollicking "Baby What's New" and the Just Six's snarling "I'm Gonna Be Gone," for example. The Donnybrooks sound great on the tense soul-jerker "You're Gonna Cry," and the Flintrocks' "Dynosaur" is a fun novelty number.
But for the most past part, this disc is stuffed with mediocre, second rate teenage rock. It's not wild and primitive or all that original, and it's pretty to easy to see why these bands never made it to national success. The Shillings' "It's Up To You," for example, feels worn-out and overplayed the first time you hear it, and the Blue Lite Conspiracy's "Her Heart Said No" is melodramatic in the extreme. The Harbinger Complex sound really dull on "Sometimes I Wonder," and the Gotham City Crime Fighters' "Who Stole The Batmobile" has little more going for it than an awesome title and band name.
So, get it for the good songs if you're a garage rock nut, but otherwise steer clear."
Hot psychedelic '60 punk compilation from San Francisco !
Fabio '66 | PA, Italy | 12/12/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you love Pebbles and Nuggets, it's good for you.
All punk-garage bands from San Francisco in the middle '60!
Recommended !"