Barricades and Angels [LP]

by The Stray Trolleys

Overview

The Stray Trolleys are a fascinating historical footnote in the long, interesting career of Martin Newell, the fascinating Englishman best known for his work with Cleaners from Venus. Recorded in 1980 after he'd left the band Gypp and struck out on his own, the songs on Barricades and Angels were recorded quickly with small combo of steady-handed musicians and sound like the work of a pub rock band. Most of them are rollicking songs that wouldn't have sounded out of place on a Nick Lowe album; they're simple and hooky, powered by Newell's cheery vocals, the tight rhythm section, and the snappy guitars of Newell and Malcolm Burch. "Governor's Only Daughter" and "Stiletto Love" sound like they could have been minor hits, "Finding Out" comes across like a star-crossed track from a coming-of-age movie, and "Mrs. Killer" puts most American power pop to shame with the huge hooks and pulsing energy. A couple tracks dip a toe into the omnipresent reggae sound that new wave bands couldn't seem to help themselves from borrowing -- these aren't the main attraction, but they aren't too embarrassing, either. What is nowhere to be found is any post-punk angst or punk aggression, that really wasn't Newell's scene. His music should have been embraced by the people digging Joe Jackson or following Rockpile from pub to pub; instead, despite a bit of label interest, the Stray Trolleys' music fell on deaf ears. The album wasn't even released until two years later, and then only on a small run of cassettes. Newell went on to different things, but the music he made with Stray Trolleys is a nice snapshot of a very specific time and sound that any fan of Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Joe Jackson, Graham Parker, or XTC could easily appreciate. In 2016, Captured Tracks reissued the album as part of a series of Newell-related releases. As luck would have it, digital files of the original masters were found and the mix is cleaner than even Newell's own copies. Added on for additional benefit is one extra track, "Mrs. Killer." ~ Tim Sendra

Product Details

Release Date:	01/20/2017
Label:	Captured Tracks
UPC:	0817949012854
Rank:	111458

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Secret Dreams of a Kitchen Porter
2. A Bluebeak Kit
3. Governor's Only Daughter New Age Dreamer
4. Stiletto Love
5. Gunslinger
6. Love Into Action
7. Ten Million Years
8. Flamingo Road
9. Finding Out
10. Barricades & Angels
11. No Static
12. Days of Firebirds

Disc 2

13. Mrs. Killer

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Stray Trolleys   Primary Artist
Tony Phillips   Bass,Vocals (Background)
Martin Newell   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Bruce Hudson   Saxophone
Malcolm "Max Volume" Burch   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Michael Natkanski   Drums

Technical Credits

Tony Phillips   Group Member
Martin Newell   Group Member
Ryan McCardle   Design
Dave Hoser   Engineer,Producer
Malcolm "Max Volume" Burch   Group Member
Michael Natkanski   Group Member
Colin Jenkins   Photography