DAVID WERNER - Self-Titled LP

I have seen David Werner remembered online for his contributions to 70s glam rock in the style of early David Bowie, but his third and final LP (the only one I have heard), 1979's self-titled release, sounds much more power pop than glam. That said, it's the harder-edged side of power pop with the guitars meaty, loud and up front.

There's plenty to rock out to here, but the album's most memorable moments actually come when it tries to branch out a bit. For example, Melanie Cries is a very appealing foray into 70s soft pop (it works much better than it sounds) and High Class Blues successfully attempts Stonesy blues rock.

It's not surprising that this album didn't reach the masses as nothing really stands out as a surefire single, but it's certainly a worthwhile listen for any fan of late 70s power pop.

David Werner - Self-titled LP, 1979

Track listing:
1 - Can't Imagine
2 - What's Right
3 - What Do You Need to Love
4 - Melanie Cries
5 - Eye to Eye
6 - Hold on Tight
7 - Every New Romance
8 - Too Late to Try
9 - High Class Blues
10 - She Sent Me Away

THE HEADBOYS - Self-Titled LP

Here's another cool, random record store find - The Headboys.

The Headboys were a Scottish power pop act that scored minor chart success in 1979 with their excellent single, The Shape of Things to Come. The song was the first track on their debut and only LP, this self-titled release from the same year.

As a result of the success of the single, the band planned a U.S. tour and second LP, neither of which came to fruition.

While nothing on the record is quite as good as The Shape of Things to Come, there's plenty of other worthwhile tracks here such as the incredibly fun My Favourite D.J., the driving Changing With the Times and the delicate ballad Silver Lining.

Definitely worth a listen for any fan of late-70s power pop!

The Headboys - Self-Titled LP, 1979

Track listing:
1 - The Shape of Things to Come
2 - Stepping Stones
3 - My Favourite D.J.
4 - Kickin the Kans
5 - Changing With the Times
6 - Silver Lining
7 - Experiments
8 - Schoolgirls
9 - Gonna Do It Like This
10 - The Breakout
11 - The Ripper
12 - Take It All Down

Also, check out this video of the band performing The Shape of Things to Come on Dutch TV in 1980:

TOM DICKIE AND THE DESIRES - Competition

A few months ago I posted The Eleventh Hour by Tom Dickie and the Desires, a New York City power pop band from the early 80s. That album was the band's second and final LP, released in 1982. The year before they debuted with Competition.

While The Eleventh Hour dabbled in dancey new wave to flesh out its power pop base, Competition was more straightforward, filled with full on, high energy rock sing-alongs in the likes of Downtown Talk, You've Lost and Burnin' Up. Other highlights include the title track, a catchy carnivalesque ditty, and Count on You, a melodic pop tune reminiscent of The Cars.

While nothing here is groundbreaking, it's all pretty enjoyable, well-performed and ripe for discovery.

Tom Dickie and the Desires - Competition (LP, 1981)

Track listing:
1 - Downtown Talk
2 - Competition
3 - House of Mirrors
4 - Inside You're Someone Else
5 - On the Other Side
6 - You've Lost
7 - Count on You
8 - Everybody Knows
9 - Waiting, Waiting
10 - Burnin' Up