From looking at Spike Priggen’s own website, the labour of
love that is Bedazzled, he would probably prefer to find himself on a blog
called PowerPop Aftershock. But then again the boundaries of my blog have
always been pretty fuzzy and intentionally so, and by including covers by two
bands previously referenced on here (The Jacobites and The Ramones), as well
featuring a photo of the Only Ones on the sleeve, I have no qualms in featuring
his 2005 album, Stars After Stars After Stars.
The Jacobites were my route in here, as I was searching
online for the lyrics to ‘Big Store’. On reflection this was an unnecessary
exercise as one of my copies of Robespierre’s Velvet Basement (I own four, as
surely everyone should) includes the lyrics. Still, it led me to page detailing
the track listing for Stars After Stars After Stars. Two Jacobites songs (or one Jacobites song and
one Subterranean Hawks song if you’re being picky), The Ramones, Alex Chilton,
The Zombies ... who is this guy? And where do I sign up?
A few days later the CD was in my possession and naturally I made a beeline for 'Big Store'. It's been slowed down slightly and is a touch heavier, but it's clear that Priggen has got the measure of it. If I'm honest, 'Only Children Sleeping' is less successful but amends are made elsewhere, such as on The Ramones' 'Questioningly'.
Think Big Star in the studio with Jesse Malin and you're some way to understanding this lost album.
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