SECRET AFFAIR/Mod Singles Collection: Available NOW!

SECRET AFFAIR

MOD SINGLES COLLECTION

AVAILABLE NOW

     "The Mod scene in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s was and exciting movement in the UK.  Spearheaded by The Jam, the scene may not have lasted as long as it should have, but it left behind some amazing music.  From Squire and The Lambrettas to The Chords and Purple Hearts, the Mods played short and sweet guitar pop laced with hook-laden melodies and plenty of attitude.  One of the most consistent bands on the scene was Secret Affair.  Although they only recorded three albums during their brief time together, that was one or two more albums than most of their contemporaries.  And 30 years on, those albums still stand up today. Their singles, all of which are collected here, are some of the best Pop singles of the era and are still as exciting as the day they were released. 

     From “Time For Action” to “Lost In The Night (Mack The Knife)”, Secret Affair’s string of singles didn’t follow The Jam’s Who/Kinks influenced formula like many of the bands of the era. Instead, songwriters Ian Page and Dave Cairns created epic pop tunes that mixed edgy guitars with soaring melodies, Motown beats and plenty of self-confidence.  Their style was wholly unique and it’s difficult to detect a single influence in their sound: Secret Affair sounded like Secret Affair and no one else.  Every A-side they released remains a classic, although worthy of owning, their B-sides were not always as gratifying. 

     The Mod Singles Collection not only features their six singles (A’s and B’s), but also U.S. mixes of three of the singles (“My World” remains their finest moment, both in the original and U.S. mix), four tracks by Page and Cairns’ pre-Secret Affair band New Hearts and two songs recorded by the reunited Secret Affair. If you are a fan of the band, then this is an excellent addition to your collection.  For casual listeners, it’s a great reminder of the band’s sheer Pop genius. And for those who are intrigued, start here but you should also buy Captain Mod’s reissues of the band’s three albums.  That’s the only way to paint a complete picture of this under-rated band."-Stephen SPAZ Schnee/All Music Guide 

PURPLE HEARTS/the Mod Singles Collection reveiw

PURPLE HEARTS were one of the most popular of the Mod bands that hit the British music scene in 1979 and 1980. The excellent Captain Mod label (an offshoot of Captain Oi) has just issued a collection of all the band's singles (A and B-sides) entitled The Mod Singles Collection.  This is what I had to say about it on All Music Guide.

"The Mod scene briefly took hold of the British (and, to a lesser extent, U.S.) music scene in 1979 in the wake of The Jam’s enormous success. When Weller and Co. released their third album, All Mod Cons, in 1978, it not only sent them straight up the charts, it also freed them from the Punk shackles that had weighed them down since the release of their debut album.
Because of the success of the album and the resurgence of Mod culture, labels began snapping up ‘60s-influenced acts like The Lambrettas, The Chords, The Jolt, Secret Affair, Squire and Purple Hearts. Of these main players, Purple Hearts were the least likely to succeed but it certainly wasn’t from lack of talent or ambition. With a Punk attitude and ‘60s Garage Rock influences, the band’s songs were less chart-friendly than their contemporaries and didn’t quite connect with the fickle public.
Signing to Fiction Records, the band released a handful of singles and one album in 1980 (Beat That!) before fading into the ether. They resurfaced briefly in ’82 and again in 1986 but fame and fortune proved to be elusive.
While not a great ‘album’ band, the Hearts sounded far more exciting on their singles, all of which are collected on this compilation (A and B-sides). The singles are joined here by three excellent 1981 demo recordings lifted from The Beat Generation & The Angry Young Men compilation.
Though Who and Kinks influences abound, the real meat of their sound is snotty Garage Rock, which really comes to the fore on tracks like “Frustration”, “Just To Please You”, “Plane Crash” and “Head On Collision Time”. On the other hand, the band’s pop smarts shine brightly on “Jimmy”, “My Life’s A Jigsaw” and “Friends Again” and all three of the bonus compilation tracks (‘I’ll Make You Mine”, “Concrete Mixer” and “Hazy Darkness”).
This 17 track collection showcases all of the band’s strengths, although I must admit that their version of “Scooby Doo” is the only obvious mis-step here. Released on Captain Oi’s excellent offshoot label, Captain Mod, the booklet contains informative liner notes, release information and reproductions of the picture sleeves.
Needless to say, The Mod Singles Collection is the best place to start your Purple Hearts collection."




Head On Spaz Time,
Stephen SPAZ Schnee