Editorial Reviews

Since the British music market was flooded with mod-revivalists in the late '70s, the only effective way to promote the bands was through package tours -- several like-minded (and like-sounding) bands playing short sets on the same night. Mods Mayday '79 is a classic collection which compiles the highlights of one of these tours. Most of the second wave revivalists -- bands who received their inspiration directly from the Jam's early albums -- are represented: Secret Affair, Beggar, Small Hours, the Mods, Squire, and the Merton Parkas. The one glaring omission is the Lambrettas, who where unable to attend the tour due to contractual obligations. Nevertheless, this provides the best look at the genre and is the only place to hear some of the bands who, despite their derivative nature, wrote some excellent pop songs that hold up pretty well even when removed from their context. Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide

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