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  | Shoes - Black Vinyl Shoes
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 The birth of Indie Pop | ||||||
| When I first discovered this album it stood out like a sore thumb in my CD collection. Sure, I had most of the Cheap Trick CD's, some Badfinger and Big Star stuff, and actually even had Shoes "Best of" CD. However, only one cut from this album was represented on the Best of, and their later albums featured fuller production techniques. This is not the first Shoes album, they actually released one called Un Dans Versailles in 1975 and crafted an unreleased record called Bazooka in 1976 (collected on the compilation As Is). These early recordings give credit to Shoes being among the first indie pop pioneers. Black Vinyl Shoes is stunning because at that time (and pretty much to this day), NOBODY sounded like this record. They recorded everything on a 4 track, kept the cover art simple, and released the record through their own label. It was a D.I.Y. production that preceded (and gave hope to) pretty much every indie pop band. With their lo-fi fuzz sound washing over sweet melodies, and soft vocals, on paper they sound like an early version of Jesus and Mary Chain or Dream Syndicate, but in fact were nothing like either band. They were pop traditionalists, they just couldn't AFFORD to make their guitars sparkle like the Byrds or Big Star could. The sound is beautiful in it's own right, and some of the songs are instant classics. Even if it's not the most consistent Shoes CD, it is a must have due to its often underestimated (and uncredited) influence on the D.I.Y. pop crowd. Best Tracks: | ||||||
| A classic! | ||||||
| Browsing through and finding that this underground classic is represented by only one, one-star review, I felt that I had to weigh in. I think this album is amazing. Buzzing, surprising guitar hooks, supersweet falsetto vocals, early Ramones bounce (really!). Recorded in a living room. This album really puts a smile on your face. Everybody is welcome to their opinion, and if you simply don't like power-pop, then you probably won't like this. But if you enjoy such bands as, say, Big Star, this will be a treat! | ||||||
 These 'Shoes' should walk to the discount bin! | ||||||
| I don't know how these guys' later releases are,but I bought this on rave-up reviews about the band from the net. If you like listening to throw-away cuts of early 60's era Who songs-then you might enjoy this. Otherwise-avoid like the plague!! Buy at you're own peril.(if you enjoy 'pop'-get SUGARBOMB-'Bully') | ||||||
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