1980s Bubblegum

1977年、オーストラリア・シドニーにてパンク・ムーヴメント絶頂期に結成されたバンド、THE PARTICLESのEP作品、1983年セッション音源、デモ音源をまとめたコンピレーション・アルバム。
初期はTHE SAINTSと共に活動したものの音楽性は徐々に変化を遂げ、その中毒性溢れるメロディーでオーストラリア・インディポップのパイオニアの一つとされています。ORANGE JUICE、TELEVISION PERSONALITIES、そしてTHE PASTELS好きは是非ともチェックしてみてください!

Though they may not be known to any but the most dedicated fan of far-flung post-punk, during the early 80s Australian group the Particles were making music that in retrospect is, along with bands like Dolly Mixture and the Television Personalities, one of the missing links between punk and indie pop. The group had their roots in the same scene that spawned the Saints, but by the time they started recording, guitarist Peter Williams and vocalist Astrid Spielman were looking to blend the simplicity of bubblegum music with the energy of punk, a poetic lyrical stance, and an occasionally angular dance beat. Working with a revolving cast of supporting musicians, the duo came up with a sound that was bouncy, innocent, and stripped down to the basics: mostly guitar, bass, drums, and the occasional keyboard. The Particles only issued three singles during their short run, along with a couple of compilation appearances, and 1980s Bubblegum compiles them all in one handy and completely essential package. If this is a listeners first time hearing these tracks, they are nothing short of a revelation. The bands first two singles basically invent twee pop without being even a little bit precious. Tracks like "Driving Me" and "Apricots Dream" show off the softer side of the band with Spielman calmly intoning the words as the group gently strums and drums behind her in perfect harmony. These moments of warmth are balanced by more jagged, uptempo tracks like "Zig Zag" and "(Bits Of) Wood," which have a kind of bedsit Delta 5 going on in the rhythms and overall feel that verges on proto-riot grrrl. The Particles third single adds a bit of production value without losing any of the bands gloriously immediate appeal. The best track -- and one that should feature on any compilation of the best music of the era -- "Trumpet Song" is a pulsing, ultra-hooky bit of post-punk pop driven by a majestic trumpet and Spielmans slightly more instant vocals. Another song from the single, "Observations," is a step toward a more mature, filled-in sound. Sung by Williams in calming tones, it jangles with melancholy richness and gives a clue to a direction the band could have gone in. Added to the singles are three songs: one studio track that never saw the light of day plus two that were recorded live for a radio session. One of them, "I Know a Place," could have been turned into a great single if the group had been able to record it in the studio. It definitely would have fit in with what bands on the Flying Nun label were doing at the time. Consider that high praise, as is the Dolly Mixture comparison. These were artists vital to the birth of C-86 and indie pop alike, and if those are styles one cares about even a little, then 1980s Bubblegum is essential. One spin through and its clear that the Particles are one of the most important building blocks of indie pop, even if their brilliance was almost painfully obscure. Thanks to Chapter Records for helping to remedy that at last. ~ Tim Sendra