THE HEARTBEATS

Artist: THE HEARTBEATS                         

Title: By Donation

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1982

Songs: 4

Label: Self Released

Style: Power Pop Rock

Rare private power pop rock obscurity from Venice, CA.  Three quick paced melodic and catchy tunes along with a slower ballad that’s pretty good with it’s guitar work and subtle keyboard arrangement. 

TIM ABBOTT

Artist: TIM ABBOTT

Title: Time & Space

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1980

Songs: 9

Label: Gopher Records

Style: New Wave

This is a killer little new wave rocker – it has great synth action, catchy melodies, power pop leanings and strong drumming.  Sure, Tim’s vocals aren’t the greats – but he uses them to great effect.  The closing 'Sci Fi Man' is a stunning synth wave monster!

CANYON

Artist: CANYON       

Title: Heart Of Ice

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1986

Songs: 4

Label: Mice-Elf Records

Style: New Wave Rock  

Private new wave rock band hailing from Connecticut.  The title song is a galloping new wave rocker, complete with parping keys and a very catchy chorus.  The rest is just as good.

THE DIVEKINGS

Artist: THE DIVEKINGS       

Title: Self-Titled

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1980

Songs: 6

Label: Rogue Elephant Music

Style: Pop Rock

Private rock from Kansas – the group was quite big at eight members.  Probably a great live band as they have novelty goofiness spots in their music.  This is hit and miss – they have a few covers that are lame.  There are two solid songs – ‘Too Much To Dream’ a psych rocker and new wave power pop rocker ‘Girls In Nurse Socks’.

SOMEWHERE A VOICE

Artist: SOMEWHERE A VOICE        

Title: Love, Logic + Ego

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1982

Songs: 10

Label: Peyote Records

Style: New Wave

United Kingdom based new wave post punk trio.  The mid-paced ‘Shalott’ is a cool track with its striking synth washes and strategically placed saxophone play.  ‘Maze’ treads along with a somber post punk vibed arrangement.  Against a sharp post punk arrangement, the band employ some interesting instrumentation on ‘Bitter Sweet’ and ‘Face On A Wall’.  An enjoyable set of moody new wave laced post punk.

OSCAR DECKER

Artist: OSCAR DECKER

Title: Self Titled

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1986

Songs: 4

Label: SkyTemple Records

Style: AOR

SSW guitarist out of Austin, TX.  Has some catchy AOR songs with one slow closer at the end.