The Cavedogs - Soul Martini (1992)

Playing smart, enthusiastic power pop that at its best suggested a three-way pileup between the Who, Big Star, and Cheap Trick, Boston's the Cavedogs began life in 1987, when guitarist Todd Spahr, bassist Brian Stevens, and drummer Mark Rivers joined forces and put out a locally released single. A self-released cassette-only album followed in 1989 before the band scored a deal with Restless Records, who released an EP on the group in 1990. The Cavedogs were bumped up to Restless' parent label, Enigma Records, for their first proper album, Joy Rides for Shut-Ins, which was released later the same year. Then, Capitol Records, who had a distribution agreement with Enigma, absorbed the band's contract, and the group now found itself with a major-label deal. The group's second album, the Michael Beinhorn-produced Soul Martini, found the band in considerably more polished form, though the clever songwriting and sharp, tuneful melodies that marked Joy Rides for Shut Ins were still very much in evidence. While both albums received enthusiastic reviews, commercial radio did not embrace the band, and neither album sold well beyond the band's immediate following; in 1993, the Cavedogs split up. Todd Spahr went on to form the Gravy, Mark Stevens joined Poundcake, and Brian Stevens released a solo album. In 2001, the Cavedogs reunited for some live shows, and the group released a CD of rarities and radio broadcasts.