My Amazon Reviews: Shoes "35 Years: The Definitive Shoes Collection"

Shoe Tease
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Has it really been 35 years? "The Definitive Shoes Collection" takes 21 of their superb, melodic power pop songs and wraps them into one CD. The bulk of the disc comes from the trilogy of classic albums, "Present Tense," "Tongue Twister" and "Boomerang," then splits the difference among the remaining albums. Each track is one from the band's exquisitely layered harmonies, sugar buzz guitars and catchy melodies. You'll hear at least a dozen should've been hits, like the flawless "Summer Rain" and the heartfelt "Three Times."

Shoes were ahead of their time in 1980 when "Present Tense" first appeared and made me a fan. Time and admiration have caught up to the band, even allowing them the time to craft the excellent "Ignition" in 2012. ("Say It Like You Mean It" appears here from that CD.) What excites me more than anything is hearing all these songs newly remastered. It makes me hunger for reissues of the early albums - including the homemade "Black Vinyl Shoes" - for a new audience and old fans who snapped up the two-fers so many years ago. Until then, this set makes for an awesome primer for one of America's premier power pop rockers.

     

My Amazon Reviews: Shoes "Ignition"

First Chance This Century
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Eighteen full years since their last album, "Propeller," (there was also Jeff Murphy's solo "Cantilever," the live "Fret Buzz" and a few archival reissues), the true pride of Zion Illinois return with "Ignition." The Shoes haven't aged at all since the 70's it seems, with the sugar coated hooks, candy coated harmonies and buzz coated guitars all remaining intact since the late 70's. That is not to say Shoes have not matured, but if you though their brand of Power Pop had gone extinct, "Ignition" will reignite that passion for all things dreamy buzzed.

First things first, though. "Ignition" is almost maddeningly uneven. I get the feeling this might have been better as a 10 song album, as many of the songs miss the immediacy of those classic early albums. Jeff and John Murphy and Gary Klebe still can harmonize like nobody's business and that often overcomes for the weaker of the songs. Besides, when your vision of pop includes both The Beatles (almost any given track here) and The Stones (the whiplike snarl of "Hot Mess"), it's enough to give a power pop geezer like me the frickin' vapors. You also can't help but get giddy from the wonderfully constructed "Out Of Round," recalling some of the brilliant ballads from the genius trilogy of "Present Tense," "Tongue Twister" and "Boomerang."

Okay, I am hyperventilating a bit. But as a one-time card carrying member of Shoes' fan club and a follower since "Black Vinyl Shoes" days, I'd pretty much guessed that these guys had called it a day. Perseverance and talent will out in the case of "Ignition." I don't know how far past the band's long suffering core of true believers will get this, but anyone who still slaves over their old copies of Pezband, 20/20, or other basic 4 member combos that looked towards "Rubber Soul" or "Revolver" as their lodestones should pick up "Ignition."

Choice cuts also include "Diminishing Returns," the melancholy "Only We Remain," the kick-off "Head Vs Heart" and "Say It Like You Mean It."ALSO: New best of!

     

My Amazon Reviews: Shoes "Stolen Wishes"

Soles Wearing Through  
3 Out Of 5 Stars

Now down to a trio and having reactivated their Black Vinyl imprint, the newly DIY Shoes returned to music with "Stolen Wishes" in 1989. Other than a Shoes Best CD (and a Europe only release, "Propeller"), it was their first USA release since being dropped by Elektra post "Boomerang." It carries their tradition of buzzing guitars and killer harmonies, along with an impeccable knack for catchy hooks and choruses.

Time did seem to have tempered them a bit, however. While there are some really incredible songs here, especially "Torn In Two" and "Love Is Like a Bullet," there seems to be a little of the youthful spark missing from "Stolen Wishes." Adding keyboards also diluted the band's sound, even if only a slight bit. If there weren't two brilliant and one exceptional album in front of "Stolen Wishes," this would have been seen for what it was; a great power-pop album in the tradition of The Raspberries and Badfinger with almost Byrds-ian harmonies. Roughly translated, an album that most bands would have killed to make. Trust me, it's worth owning. And if you're reading this, you probably are already aware of Shoes' reputation. So go ahead and add it to the collection.

My Amazon Reviews: Shoes "Boomerang/Shoes On Ice"

Comes back and hits you every time
4 Out Of 5 Stars

The third album on Elektra by the Shoes was an effort at self production, and sounds as good as any of their previous efforts. Seems "Boomerang" was Shoes as the Shoes understood themselves; melodic power-pop with buzzing guitars and rich harmonies. It's not the flawless masterstroke "Present Tense" or the fuzzed out speed ball of "Tongue Twister," it's still a darn good album.

In fact, with the exception of "The Tube" and "Shake It Away," all the songs here are mini-masterpieces. "Summer Rain" rates as one of my fave Shoes songs, and "Mayday" and "What Love Means" are among the Shoes tunes that make me wonder why these guys never brokered a hit single. I'm also partial to the brooding "Tested Charms," a low key song about a flirt who is finding out her moment has passed.

The reissue of "Boomerang" benefits from the bonus EP "Shoes On Ice," songs from the first two albums performed in front of a hometown crowd. It gives ample evidence that the four Shoesters were 100% capable of recreating the energy of their albums from the stage and makes the purchase of this CD a must for power-poppers.