A great look at the farther reaches of the American underground scene in the mid 80s – years after punk and post-punk modes – and a portrait of a whole generation who rose up in their wake, but maybe made music that was something else entirely! 20 years hence, these guys might have been garage rock bands – and while they've got some of that spirit, they've also learned the sharper guitar edges of the late 70s/early 80s scene – but work towards songs that are sometimes more personal, and subjects that are more down to earth. At some level, these groups are America's version of the C86 generation – but more obscure, with less polish, as they were never likely to get the airplay or press of the British scene – which is what makes the music even more compelling, especially as some of these guys were very tied to local scenes. The package is great – with an enormous booklet of notes that's worth the price alone – in support of 28 tracks that include "The Meeting" by Pop Art, "Change" by Holiday, "When Do You Say Hello" by Great Plains, "Say Goodbye" by Riff Doctors, "Misery Me & You" by White Sisters, "Is It You" by The Darrows, "Seven Steps Down" by Salem 66, "Five O'Clock" by Three Hits, "She Collides With Me" by Sex Clark Five, "All My Friends" by Primitons, "All That Stuff" by The Windbreakers, and "Trusted Woods" by The Reverbs. CD