VA - Radio Ready (Lost Power Pop Hits 1979-1982) Wisconsin [2014]

POWER POP

VA - Radio Ready (Lost Power Pop Hits 1979-1982) Wisconsin [2014]

Following the Texas volume, Cheap Rewards Records turned its attention northward with Radio Ready: Wisconsin, released in 2014. This compilation captures the Midwest’s contribution to power pop during a fertile but under‑documented period. The Shivvers open the set with “No Substitute,” a shimmering anthem that epitomizes the genre’s melodic urgency. Other highlights include The Wigs’ “180 Degrees,” Spooner’s “You’re the Lucky One,” and The Haskels’ quirky “Daddy’s Girl.” Several tracks were previously unreleased on vinyl, adding to the set’s archival weight. Pressed in two editions-100 copies on Packers green and yellow vinyl, and 400 on black—the LP quickly became a collector’s item. Liner notes by Dave Luhrssen, co‑founder of Milwaukee’s Shepherd Express, provide historical context, situating these bands within Wisconsin’s vibrant club scene. The compilation emphasizes the diversity of approaches: from the raw energy of Muscle Beach to the polished hooks of The Baxters, each track reflects a different facet of the state’s underground. By rescuing these songs from obscurity, Radio Ready: Wisconsin affirms the Midwest’s role in shaping the national power pop narrative. For collectors and historians, it is both a time capsule and a testament to the enduring appeal of melodic rock. (B)

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Track list

01 Shivvers - No Substitute 3:59

02 Wigs - 180 Degrees 3:22

03 Pop - Wait A Minute 2:08

04 RPM's - Gimme Some Action 3:10

05 Baxters - Don't Run Away 2:44

06 Sidewalks - Whoever Said That You Was Cool 2:17

07 Orbits - The Waiting Game 2:19

08 Muscle Beach - Let's Get Dumb 2:54

09 Haskels - Daddy's Girl 2:31

10 Minors - Another Stupid Love Song 2:47

11 Tyrants - Hard to Get 2:26

12 Dominoes - Lies 3:03

13 Spooner - You're The Lucky One 2:58

14 Valiants - Shake Baby Shake 3:10

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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