The Speedways

Reviews

The Speedways Triple Platinum LP

This collection of tracks from the SPEEDWAYS’ first five years has everything you want in this style of power pop—hand-claps, catchy-as-hell choruses, key changes, you name it. A perfect rendition of early ’80s power pop, when new wave sounds were starting to creep in but nothing was ruined by major label pariahs just yet. Even better, as this is a collection of mostly singles, you don’t get any of the filler that was almost a gimme if you decided to snag a full-length by, say, FOTOMAKER, the SCRUFFS, or (to a lesser extent) 20/20. Some of these are re-recordings or remixed versions, and it adds to this collection of hits almost feeling more like a deliberate album. Forty-five years ago, the SPEEDWAYS would have been lapping their peers, and honestly, they still do today.

The Speedways Talk of the Town LP

While this is reminiscent of the EXPLODING HEARTS, it’s decidedly softer. Still, the melodies are as catchy as the guitar riffs. It’s mid-tempo power pop with a jangly guitar thing that’s not quite as infectious as everyone’s favorite power pop/punk combo. At times, this has a certain PARTRIDGE FAMILY quality to it. If you think even for one second that that is anything other than high praise, you are mistaken. They’ve even got their ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE ATTRACTIONS moments. This is worth looking for.