A real lost treasure from Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers – a record that has them breaking from the kid pop of some of their other late 70s albums, setting the stage for Richman's unabashed love-inspired pop of the 80s. There's some really wonderful tracks on the set that have Jonathan opening up once again – sharing those sublimely heartfelt emotions that first made his early records so great, crafting simple love songs that have an indescribable power in their starkness. Titles include "I Hear You Calling Me", "Back In Your Life", "Affection", "She's Gonna Respect Me", "My Love Is A Flower", and "I'm Nature's Mosquito". LP, Vinyl record album

The second album from the Modern Lovers – but one that's completely different than the first! In an oft-told story, Jonathan Richman had a complete musical turnaround in the space between the records – shirking off the proto-punk of his roots (which was also a huge inspiration to the UK and US punk scenes to come) – and instead going into more personal material, delivered with the upfront and open emotionality that would mark Richman's music for decades to come! The shift is actually a great one – a way of really finding his own mark, and creating a sound that's completely unique – music that's surprisingly ageless, and with themes that nobody else could deliver this well. Titles include "Rockin Shoppin Center", "Back In The USA", "Important In Your Life", "New England", "Lonely Financial Zone", "Hi Dear", "Hey There Little Insect", and "Spring Time". LP, Vinyl record album

With tracks by Blondie, Ian Hunter, Pat Benatar, Sammy Hagar, Babys, Jonathan Richman, and more! LP, Vinyl record album

One of John Cale's greatest moments as a solo artist – a wonderfully dark record that also features lots of great guitar from Chris Spedding, plus electronics from Brian Eno too! There's a stark, flat tone to Cale's lyrics here – a quality that almost echoes some of Eno's albums from around the time, especially the first two – but which takes on some shapes and phrasing that are definitely in the spirit of John's larger body of work too. But man, there's some very spooky bits here – even where you wouldn't expect them – that sense of surprise that Cale could always bring to sweeter moments with the Velvet Underground, re-focused here wonderfully for his own needs. Titles include "Cable Hogue", "Engine", "Save Us", "My Maria", "I Keep A Close Watch", "Helen Of Troy", and "Sudden Death" – plus a cover of Jonathan Richman's "Pablo Picasso". LP, Vinyl record album