The Tweeds where from Massachusetts and issued a small string of singles and EPs from 1977 – 1981, the most famous of which is probably 1980’s Perfect Fit which contains their most lasting tracks “I Need That Record” and “The Girl Who Said No”
Pretty much all of their output is included here, even including an alternate recording of “Underwater Girl” from its inclusion on an ’81 b-side that saw it rerecorded for the release and added an intro. The band apparently included Kenny Gorelick (aka Kenny G, the band of your elevator existence) on keys at one point but its unclear how much of the material he may have played on. In general the band has a lot of delightful, but not especially hard hitting power pop and its safe to say this may be the most definitive release of their music that you’d ever need.
The aforementioned “Underwater Girl” might be the best surprise, as its not included on many compilations and its a solid runner of a power pop jam and gives the band a bit of a harder edge. The rest is probably for the true power pop diggers but I’ve always been a sucker for the fringes of the genre. Not holding my breath for a vinyl issue of this but it would be nice to have a bit more background from the label on this one. Barring that, I’ll just cross my fingers that the Buttons series might start back up (please, please, please), it was promising but I’m sure it sorely undersold those soul comps. One can only hope this might be an indication of turning their gaze back towards power pop.
by Andy (Raven Sings The Blues)
Tracks
1. If I Could Only Dance (Marc McHugh, Paulson) - 2:21
2. I'm Thru (Marc McHugh, Paulson) - 1:56
3. Shortwave (Marc McHugh, Paulson) - 2:25
4. Teen Love (Marc McHugh, Paulson) - 2:35
5. Ode To A Glicknick (The Larry Glick Song) - 1:39
6. Underwater Girl (Marc McHugh) - 3:10
7. My Memories (Charles Blackwell, Françoise Hardy, Jacques Datin) - 2:44
8. Postcard (Marc McHugh) - 3:01
9. I Need That Record (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow) - 3:19
10.Hey Baby (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow) - 3:50
11.Later Tonight (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow) - 2:53
12.She's The Girl (Who Said No) (Marc McHugh) - 3:09
13.I've Got Rock In My Heart (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow, George Godding) - 3:39
14.We Ran Ourselves (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow, Paulson) - 3:45
15.Away From You (Marc McHugh, Jeff Mezzrow, Paulson) - 4:11
16.Underwater Girl (Eat Records Version) (Marc McHugh) - 3:51
17.Part Of The Game (Marc McHugh) - 4:02
18.No More (Erik Lindgren) - 3:02
The Tweeds
*Jeff Mezzrow - Guitar, Vocals, Bass
*Marc McHugh - Guitar, Vocals
*Gordon Wallace - Brums, Vocals, Bells
*George Godding - Vocals, Percussion (Tracks 1-13)
*Michael White - Bass (Tracks 14-18)
With
*Kenny Gorelick - Piano (Track 10)
