Undertones
(Union Square)
Formed amidst the struggle and strife of Northern Ireland in the mid-‘70s, the Undertones forged a sound that borrowed liberally from both the brash, unabashed primal thrust of the Ramones, the adolescent rebellion of the Who and the shuck-it-all raised middle digit of the Sex Pistols. It was snotty, skittish and a perfect fit for those tempestuous times, an ideal fusion of punk, pop and guilty indulgence, manifest in such irresistibly catchy singles as "Teenage Kicks" (reportedly DJ John Peel's favorite record of all time), "It's Going to Happen," "Jimmy Jimmy," "Here Comes the Summer" and "Wednesday Week," among many.
It's been 25 years since the original outfit disbanded, but this compilation gathers a generous 29 tracks from their first four albums and the real mother lode, a second disc boasting 27 rare or unreleased demos and live tracks. Given the fact the fact the band's catalogue has already been expanded and re-released, devotees will likely be enticed by the add-ons, but the elemental material is essential for the uninitiated.
Standout tracks: "Jimmy Jimmy," "My
Perfect Cousin" LEE ZIMMERMAN
