D.I.Y.: Starry Eyes: UK Pop, Vol. 2

RELEASE
January 19, 1993
LABEL
Rhino
GENRES
Pop/Rock, New Wave, Power Pop, Alternative/Indie Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, College Rock, Punk, Punk/New Wave

Album Review

Picking up where Teenage Kicks left off, D.I.Y.: Starry Eyes: UK Pop II is even more pop-oriented than its predecessor, and that's taking the Buzzcocks' searing "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've?)" into consideration. Although it includes a handful of great singles from artists that were on Teenage Kicks (the Undertones' "Get Over You," XTC's "Life Begins at the Hop," Squeeze's "Up the Junction," the Revillos' "Where's the Boy for Me?"), plus Joe Jackson's familiar "Is She Really Going Out With Him?," Starry Eyes shines in rounding up terrific singles from under-appreciated artists like Bram Tchaikovsky ("Girl of My Dreams"), the Jags ("Back of My Hand [I've Got Your Number]"), the Records ("Starry Eyes"), the Searchers ("Hearts in Her Eyes"), and Purple Hearts ("Millions Like Us"). These are sparkling pop songs, with ringing guitars and immediate, catchy melodies. Very few of these songs were actual hits, but they are the cornerstone of British new wave and power pop, which has rarely sounded as energetic and vital as it does here.
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Track Listing

  1. Ever Fallen in Love?
  2. Get over You
  3. Yachting Types
  4. Is She Really Going Out With Him?
  5. Schooldays [*]
  6. Girl of My Dreams
  7. This Is Airebeat
  8. Life Begins at the Hop
  9. Up the Junction
  10. Back of My Hand (I've Got Your Number)
  11. Let's Talk About the Weather
  12. Starry Eyes
  13. Mourning Star
  14. Millions Like Us
  15. Time Goes by So Slow
  16. Hearts in Her Eyes
  17. Where's the Boy for Me?
  18. White Mice [*]
  19. So Good to Be Back Home Again