VA - Kids On The Street: UK Power Pop And New Wave 1977-81 (2022)

Three CD anthology featuring some of the best music to come out of the British new wave/ power pop scene of the late 70s/early 80s. Featuring hit singles and deep cuts from some of the era's biggest names are joined by rare tracks, cult classics and fascinating obscurities. Kids On The Street is a four-hour smorgasbord of top pop tunes from the British power pop and new wave scenes of the late Seventies/early Eighties as the punk revolution evolved into a more radio-friendly sound. Hit singles from some of the era's most vital acts (The Stranglers, Pretenders, The Ruts, The Teardrop Explodes, Elvis Costello) are joined by key cuts from seminal albums by the likes of The Jam, Squeeze and XTC. The mod revival is represented by such names as Squire, The Circles, Smart Alec and pre- Direct Hits band The Exits, power pop royalty includes The Records, The Pleasers and The Jags, while there are cult favorites from The Soft Boys, The Distractions, Radio Stars and many others. Joining the boys about town and kids on the street are pub rock veterans The Motors (with John Peel's favorite track of 1977), former Bonzos man Neil Innes' Beatles spoof The Rutles, Slade spin-off Dummies and beat boom veterans The Searchers, enjoying a new lease of life as the new wave of power pop bands updated their pioneering 60s sound. Housed in a stylish clamshell box, and featuring a booklet that includes notes on each individual track, Kids On The Street is a riveting reminder of a sound that dominated the British pop scene for a brief but highly creative period.