Search - Various Artists :: This Is Mod

A Mediocer Revival!

nicksscene@webtv.net | CA, USA | 08/04/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation celebrates the Mod Revival of 79'-83' in a incompleate way. The CD is missing the scene's top 3 bands....the Jam, Squire, and Secret Affair. Although I have to give it props for showing these "Jam wanna-bes" all on one CD that are never played on the radio....ever! I would only recomend this CD to the really dedicated mod fans. These bands sound as if they were Oi bands that simply got into the Mod Revival craze. Sure...there are some really good tracks on this album like the uplifting intro of "Opening Up" by the Circles, the dancer's anthem "Can We Go Dancing" by the Amber Squad, and the pumped up R&B/Punk melodies of "On the Streets Again" by Long Tall Shorty, but overall this compilation fails to show us a decent look at the WHOLE revival. I would recomend the compilation "On Target" for anyone who is interested on the 2nd Wave Mod scene. Thank You."

THIS IS MOD!, THIS IS GREAT!

Joseph Michael Amaral | San Jose, CA | 04/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"START! Thats what mod rocker Paul Weller said in the Jam hit song "Start!" This 20-track mod revival compilation STARTS! off with a kick with the instanly catchy guitar hooked pop beauty "Opening up" by the circles. Every track is strong except perhaps the Sussed "I've Got Parka," buts that mediocre at worst. The album is a fun and an easy listen because each song brings a melodic joy and never tapers off. Many of the bands on the album dont sound too "British" as opposed to some of their other mod peers and it certainly wont "intmidate" any American listeners. Other stand out songs are the Deadbeats "Choose You," the Nips "Happy Song" and "Nobody to Love" and the Amber Squads "Can We Go Dancing" and "I Can't Put My Finger On You." THIS IS MOD! THIS IS GREAT!"

Excellent 2nd wave mod overview

punkviper | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 07/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Anagram records put out a 6-disc series of Mod singles/rarities (from the '79 to '83 era) called This Is Mod Vol. 1 thru 6. These aren't available domestically, but this handy little comp from Cleopatra is. It samples the best of the first 5 discs (because the 6th is strictly American mod, which is awful and pointless) and does such a good job that you may never need to pick up the actual 6-disc collection. Just listen to the snippets of the first 5 songs on this disc and you'll hear great neo-punk/power-pop songs that any Oasis or Jam fan will love. Anagram actually has their own import This Is Mod 20-song sampler from their original box sets, but the track listing is completely different (and in my opinion, inferior.) And incidentally, this compilation is the 3rd disc of The Mod Box box set from Cleopatra (with "100% British Mod" being the 1st 2 discs, which results in some duplication.)"