Late-70s lost rock `n' roll classic
hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 09/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Amid the anarchy of punk rock and the forced quirkiness of new wave a few genuine rock `n' roll bands managed to slip through the cracks. In the UK these bands often derived from the pre-punk pub rock scene, either directly as in the case of Rockpile, or on the tail end as in the case of the Fabulous Poodles. Their flamboyant stage act gave them a jokey veneer, but their records (particularly the debut produced by John Entwistle) were filled with superbly crafted rock `n' roll that combined the melody and drama of Brill Building pop with modern touches and welcome helpings of Bobby Valentino's violin and mandolin.
Vocalist/songwriter Tony De Meur had a flair for dramatizing and adding a touch of humor to stories that feel as if they were drawn from real life, not unlike Ray Davies. He sings as a lonely teenager who grows up to find revenge in stardom, a twenty-something allergic to work, a seductive singing idol, and an overworked and undersexed porn photographer ("they never seem to want to know / a seedy flashgun gigolo"). He celebrates the magic of B-movies, the joy of a perfect haircut (a Chicago Boxcar with a Boston Back - think D-Day in the film Animal House), a bionic dream and a satiric `50s styled rock `n' roll ode to anorexia.
In addition to nineteen group-written tunes, the Poodles cover Mel McDaniel's obscure country blues "Roll Your Own" and the Everly Brothers' "Man With Money." American Beat's two-fer pairs the Poodles first U.S. release, Mirror Stars, which cherry-picks from the group's first two UK albums, with their third and final release, Think Pink. The latter is more pedestrian and forced, particularly in comparison to the former, but Mirror Stars is easily worth the price of this two-fer CD. This is a bare-bones reissue with a four-panel booklet that lists song titles, writers and running times, but offers no liner notes. Mirror Stars: 5 stars. Think Pink: 3-1/2 stars. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]"
Back when "New Wave" really meant new.........
Charles T. Parkhurst | 08/28/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"OK, the term "New Wave" totally sucks, but when I was going to college (1980), there was much that was fresh & exciting on the music scene. That is not to say that there still isn't (& hasn't been) but it was a different time. I saw these guys open up for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers in January of 1980. Quirky lyrics, upbeat pop, choreography & even a fiddle player!! A song about "Anna Rexia?!" C'mon now! Most of the songs here have been available on an expensive & out of print compilation CD (His Master's Choice) but this is the first time you can get ALL of these songs since vinyl or audio cassette. My audio tape has long since worn out. You get the U.S. versions of their first 2 albums, together, on a single CD. Listen with an open mind, turn it up REAL LOUD & enjoy a great band that shoulda made it big, but never quite caught on. You'll see the strange look on people's faces when you say, "Yeah, the Fabulous Poodles!""
Great old group
Jeff Consoer | Denver, CO USA | 10/16/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Read the history of this group in the Amazon description. It pretty much tells the story. A great, irreverent, funny group of musicians who could turn out tunes with some killer hooks. Fun, catchy music."
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1