THE A`S - The A`s & A Woman`s Got The Power

I know some of you are drooling right now as you read this! YES! Both albums are fantastic but the debut album from The A`s is the one that I have played continually since its release in 1979 about 2/3 times a year. "4 stars. Their music forged a path that encompassed power pop, punk, and a retro, almost mod, texture. They did it with accessible hooks and catchy numbers." - AMG. "One of the first bands on Philadelphia`s new wave club scene to sign with a major label, the A`s made their reputation through an energetic stage show which featured singer Richard Bush`s Jerry Lewis-like antics. On the group`s first album, Bush shows an equal aptitude for playing the comedian ("Teenage Jerk Off," an affectionately tongue-in-cheek nod to punk) and the straight man (the outstanding "After Last Night"). If anything, The A`s resembles the Boomtown Rats` Tonic for the Troops in the way it combines wit, street savvy and relatively intricate hard-pop arrangements." Trouser Press.

"First album: That classic blend of pop and jittery angst that only survived a few years in the late 70`s to early 80`s. If XTC covered Cars songs. The second album was more relaxed and sedated, with the exception of one song. The first album starts off with their two big songs: "After Last Night"and "CIA." Both songs (as well as the whole album) are held together by the sound of the organ-like keyboard (used so well by Elvis Costello & Attractions). Urgency, Jittery, Nervousness, and pure adrenaline fueled energy are all apparent here. The key thing about the A`s is that they churn that feeling out with a tremendous radio pop sense and catchy hooks that make these songs stick in your head. The repetitive chorus of "Words" feels like the repetitive ending in Elvis Costello`s "Accidents Will Happen." And in truth, if the lyrics were a little deeper, diverse and metaphoric, this first A`s album could have been a great Elvis record. "Parasite" has a great Violent Femmes style baseline, with the organ-keys following up, dribbling down the musical note scale. And my favorite track is Teenage Jerkoff. Borrowing a short but great bass hook from XTC`s Science Friction, this song has all the bouncy energy that 70s punk/new wave continually displayed." Thrift Store Music. More details and soundbites coming!

Song #1 - mp3

Song #2 - mp3

Song #3 - mp3

Song #4 - mp3

Song #5 - mp3