THE WATCH

Artist: THE WATCH

Title: Rockin’ Tonight

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1984

Songs: 4

Label: Self Released

Style: Melodic Rock  

Super rare private press from this Canadian rock band.  Cool and catchy AOR melodic rock moves galore. The Watch were a band based out of Cochrane, Ontario formed mostly from the ashes of the Guelph heavy metal band, Toyz, which had formed in 1979. This is their first record, but their first recordings were for the Q107 Homegrown albums - they were selected to record and laid down a few tracks, but the following day, Q107 retracted the offer.

NIMBUS OMBI

Artist: NIMBUS OMBI

Title: In Search Of Minds    

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1985

Songs: 4

Label: Nimbus Records

Style: New Wave

Obscure new wave private press out of San Diego, CA.  Upbeat songs full of catchy synth.

TOM ACOUSTI AND THE RELEASE

Artist: TOM ACOUSTI AND THE RELEASE  

Title: Process Of Elimination

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1987

Songs: 9

Label: Dark Dog Music

Style: Pop Rock

SSW from Maine and his backing band.  The opening title song is a nice high tech AOR cut as well as the synthy ‘Jenny’. He travels into a folk arena with the acoustic (no pun intended) ‘Fair Share’.  The rest of the album is pretty much melodic pop that doesn’t do a whole lot, however the closer ‘In California’ is an almost power ballad with its guitar flourishes.

SNUGGLES

Artist: SNUGGLES

Title: How ‘Bout A Song For The Girls       

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1984

Songs: 8

Label: Snuggly Records

Style: AOR   

A Scottsdale, AZ based indie new wave band from the mid-80’s.  This local foursome self-released this exquisite private press obscurity.  Eight songs brimming with uplifting melodic new wave pop rock.  

JOSEPH TAYLOR

Artist: Joseph Taylor

Title: Self-Titled

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1987

Songs: 4

Label: Self Released

Style: AOR

Mid-paced melodic Westcoast AOR with smooth production qualities.  SSW self-released private press.  Standout Track: the upbeat 'Don't Be Late' new wave AOR rocker.

THE WIDGETS

Artist: THE WIDGETS

Title: Empty Hearts

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1986

Songs: 11

Label: Gark Records

Style: Indie Alternative    

   

Stellar private indie rock one-off from Minneapolis band.  The band puts on a versatile set of songs.  The vocalist & band can sound like REM at times, but that’s a good thing – check out ‘Guess I’ll Never Know’ and the standout ‘Fat America’.  Other Standout Songs: the passionate angst-pop ‘Purchase Personalities’, which has a killer angular guitar riff throughout. The title song, with it’s tempo change ups and melodic vocal harmonies.  The piercing guitar infused ‘Stand Up’.  The only miss-fire is the stupid Jimmy Buffet cover of ‘Margaritaville’. 

MCPHISTO

Artist: MCPHISTO

Title: She’s Bad

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1986

Songs: 6

Label: Guerre Records

Style: Hard Rock

Mcphisto was a local indie outfit from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  On this rare private release, they crank out well produced melodic hard rock.   A very consistently pleasing set of six songs.

VINCENT T. VOK

Artist: VINCENT T. VOK      

Title: Survivor

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1983

Songs: 12

Label: Self Released – Voksongs Unlimited

Style: Folk Rock

Both side openers are short but taught little rockers ‘Heat Of The City’ & ‘Even You’ respectively.  The urgent acoustic folk penned ‘Ballad Of Dog Boy’ drips with bits of lyric novelty but is also pretty darn good, and we get to hear for the first time a female backing singer, which add much value.  Then it goes really weird with the spoken word piece ‘Fred Astaire Meets Dr. Seuss’.  Side One ends with a pleasant piano folk pop arrangement with both male and female vocals.  The harmonica flourishes in ‘Sinner’ actually work quite well against the female/male vocal interplay. The best track is rocker ‘Nothing At All’ with its guitar riffing, tempo change up and female backing.  A cool underground private press outing.

COLOR TV

Artist: COLOR TV

Title: Play At Maximum Volume     

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1985

Songs: 8

Label: Self Released

Style: Power Pop   

A Scottsdale, AZ based indie new wave band from the mid-80’s.  This local foursome self-released this exquisite private press obscurity.  Eight songs brimming with uplifting melodic new wave pop rock.

ROY HOWELL & FRIENDS

Artist: ROY HOWELL & FRIENDS

Title: A Little Passion From Memphis

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1980s

Songs: 6

Label: Rowie Records

Style: Pop Rock    

   

Guitarist enlists friends to perform on this one-off obscure EP.  The music naturally highlights the guitar heroics of Roy and also ventures into progressive west coast pop territory.