If you're throwing a party for our twenty year old birthday boy (or perhaps girl is more appropriate?) C. Eighty-Six, you've just a soundtrack for it! Against my expectations, Fopp actually had CD86 in the racks already on the day of release! It's a stunning collection of indiepop hits - I got 15 great tracks I hadn't before. No one can listen to this and say: "This is no good! I'll stick with Oasis, thank you." What satisfies me the most is the inclusion of "Around and Around" by Hurrah!, my favourite Hurrah!-song - which is to say a lot. That's easily the best track on the double cd. But woe! They forgot the exclamation mark that goes with Hurrah and This Poison...! And the "i" in Chesterfields is the wrong way round. But no matter. The first nine tracks pretty much conform with the best nine bands of the period, in my opinion. Other selections that makes me nod my head in ecstatic approval are "Just Too Bloody Stupid" by The Close Lobsters and "Sign On the Line" by The Fizzbombs.
Jesse Garon & the Desperadoes, James Dean Driving Experience, 1000 Violins, Emily, The Mayfields, The Springfields, St. Christopher, Brighter, Even As We Speak, The Orchids, Friends, Hey Paulette, The Desert Wolves, The Brilliant Corners, The Visitors, Remember Fun, The Church Grims, Reserve, Rodney Allen, Love Parade, Fat Tulips and Bubblegum Splash!.
But that all depends on your taste, I guess. The compilers certainly haven't stuck to "the most important bands". In that case they would've had The Smiths on it - the only band people Actually Listened To.
here's some that should have been included: STARS OF HEAVEN / BAND OF HOLY JOY /PARACHUTE MEN / AC MARIAS /POPINJAYS /SEE SEE RIDER/ LULU KISS ME DEAD/FATAL CHARM. a couple of american bands would not be bad: THE REIVERS/DUMPTRUCK.
I totally agree on The Clouds' "Tranquil". It's *much* more memorable!