Guadalcanal Diary was one of the most underrated bands to come out of the Athens, GA music scene of the 1980s. Their unique brew of lyrics focusing on left-of-center subject matter married to irresistible melodies with a ... more »bedrock foundation of thrashing drums and rhythmic bass lines, resulted in a sound that set them apart from their peers R.E.M., Pylon and the B-52's. The two albums on this Audio CD two-fer are the first two of the band's four total major label releases. The first, originally released in 1984, was produced by R.E.M. and Don Dixon. The second, released two years later, was produced by Rodney Mills (.38 Special, Atlanta Rhythm Section) and Steve Nye (XTC, Bryan Ferry, The Cure).« less
Guadalcanal Diary was one of the most underrated bands to come out of the Athens, GA music scene of the 1980s. Their unique brew of lyrics focusing on left-of-center subject matter married to irresistible melodies with a bedrock foundation of thrashing drums and rhythmic bass lines, resulted in a sound that set them apart from their peers R.E.M., Pylon and the B-52's. The two albums on this Audio CD two-fer are the first two of the band's four total major label releases. The first, originally released in 1984, was produced by R.E.M. and Don Dixon. The second, released two years later, was produced by Rodney Mills (.38 Special, Atlanta Rhythm Section) and Steve Nye (XTC, Bryan Ferry, The Cure).
CD Reviews
Not only that...
Murray Attaway | USA | 09/13/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Previous reviews have focused on the poor mastering of this disc. Having never listened to this issue, I cannot comment.
However, as the singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist of Guadal, I can say that this was done without our knowledge, and I absolutely loathe the cheesey "cover art."
Having said that, it WAS the only way to find Jamboree on cd...
-Murray"
It's about time
Thornton F. Cole | Chicago or an airport near you | 08/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Why the dolts at Elektra never re-released the brilliant "Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man" is beyond me. "Jamboree" is icing on a delicious cake. Mr. Attaway and the boys were the most underrated of the Athens GA bands (shout out to my old friends at WUOG) to grace the airwaves in the early- to mid-80s. I for one am out of my mind with excitement to finally have this added to my collection, sitting right next to my "Cypress/Afoot" CD from Let's Active---another sorely missed and rarely discussed raw talent of the era."
Collection Complete!
Daniel P Fish | Austin, TX United States | 04/18/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Damn, you can only rate up to 5 stars? 'Cause this one should "GO TO 11"!!!! Now that I have 'Walking...' and 'Jamboree' I have them all on CD... including 'Live At Your Birthday Party'. 'Jamboree', 'Murmur' (R.E.M.) and 'Workbook' (Bob Mould) are my favorite "albums" of all time... and I have not heard 'Jamboree' in about 10 years, since my cassette got eaten by a mean-spirited player. If it is possible to wear the grooves off of a CD I will do it w/ this one! The lyrics, guitar work and production on both 'Walking..." and, especially, 'Jamboree' are, in a word, perfect."
Took A Gamble and Won Big With This CD
da | racine, wi United States | 08/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I enjoy taking a chance on albums by artists I don't know much about or remember little of. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but it's worth taking a chance. This album is an absolute Winner through and through. I saw this band back in 1988 at a ballroom in Milwaukee that hosted bands that were on the verge of making it, the semi-famous - you get the idea, but that was 18 years ago and after burning many brain cells in those days, I just have a vague recollection of what they were like. I just remembered that they were a great live band. I've always been a fan of Power-Pop, jangly, Rickenbacker-ish sounding bands, and these guys were, from what I can tell from this two-fer, masters at this craft. I can't stand REM and there are the obvious comparisons, but these guys had their own style, and if you are going take a chance on an album, this has got to be one of them. I bought it 3 weeks ago and it hasn't left my CD player since. REM should be opening for this band."
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1