VARIOUS ARTISTS SQUARES BLOT OUT THE SUN LPCategory / Style / Moods: Rock Alternative Pop/ Rock, Jangle Pop, College Rock, Power Pop, Pop Underground, Adult Alternative Pop/ Rock, New Wave24.77 / 2007-10-21 S asocc1989 US DB LPTITLE: SQUARES BLOT OUT THE SUNARTIST: VARIOUS ARTISTSCONDITIONCOVER: VG+ OR BETTER NOT A CUT-OUT!VINYL: STILL SEALED, AS NEW!Click here for info on grading and abbreviationsFACTORY SEALED ORIGINAL PRESSClick the pix for a better view TRACKS: Disc: 1 1.CoolPylon 3:152.TrueFans 3:233.Sex MachineJack Heard 2:234.buyin' TimeThe Reivers 2:535.Talked About ItTim Lee 3:056.Neat in the StreetSide Effect 2:527.Party Zone [live]Pylon 4:298.Home-InSwimming Pool Q's 3:569.Burnin' LoveJack Heard 2:5610.High NoonSkeeters 3:2611.Random [live]Oh OK 1:3112.Richard CoryCoolies 4:2213.Quick With Your LipBrains 3:2114.Y.O.U. MistakeTom Gray 6:20Review by Stewart Mason Originally planned for release in 1984, the DB Records compilation Squares Blot Out the Sun didn't actually make it onto shelves until 1990. The delay makes it a rather schizophrenic compilation, since it covers material from as far back as 1978 ("Y.O.U. Mistake," a doomy, new-wavish bedroom demo by Tom Gray of the Brains and Alfredo Villar of the Fans) and as recently as 1989 (the mournful banjo-and-melodica-based "Talked About It" by ex-Windbreakers co-leader Tim Lee). Although the proto-alt-country later material sounds pretty good, with the Reivers' "buyin' My Time" a particular standout, it's the rarities from the late '70s and early '80s that are particularly fascinating. Although mostly remembered only as the scene that spawned the B-52s and R.E.M., Georgia had one of the most vibrant music communities of the post-punk era, and Squares Blot Out the Sun gathers rare songs from that period, showing the Athens and Atlanta scenes in all their multi-faceted glory. From the straight-up power pop of the Fans' "True," a classic 1979 single, to the irreverent, herky-jerky pair of covers by Jack Heard (featuring ex-Method Actor David Gamble, Atlanta scene stalwart Kevin Dunn and, of all people, British synth-pop whiz Thomas Dolby, who shared a UK label with the Method Actors), DB Records covered all the bases. It's the live material that's most illuminating, since Athens in particular was primarily known as a club town and the best Athens bands were those that could deliver on stage. Oh OK's "Random," a bouncy tune not on either of their E.P.s, shows how far a band could go with just voice, bass and drums. "Party Zone," the encore from Pylon's 1983 farewell show, captures that legendary band at their art-dance peak, with singer Vanessa Briscoe wordlessly shrieking as the three-piece band blends the Gang of Four and Dick Dale into a frenzied sound that was all their own. Although it's more for completists than anyone else, and the sound occasionally approaches bootleg quality, Squares Blot Out the Sun unearths some hidden treasures. This exquisite piece of retro music history is a vinyl sound recording (not a CD). Please visit the A Sound Deal store for similar items and information on grading and shipping. Add me to your favorites for red hot sales bulletins and sneak previews of upcoming products. Combine Items to Save $$$! Click here to check the store for more!©A Sound Deal
