Description
Label Review.
Indiepop.
Our Overview.
The short lived yet influential American, Chicago indie group, The Springfields are set to release one old track from the vaults and their entire back catalogue ‘Singles 1986-1991’. When it comes to indiepop, few names are as respected as Ric Menck and Paul Chastain. Through years of collaboration in groups such as Velvet Crush, Bag O’ Shells, Choo Choo Train and The Big Maybe they just about *were* the entire US indie-pop scene, but it’s as The Springfields that they made perhaps their best, most beloved records. Released across four different indie labels over a five year period, theirs is hardly a prolific output but a flawless one that deserves to be reissued.
The Springfields is one of many acts that the Hollies and The Byrds influenced duo Ric Menck and Paul Chastain made together. Perhaps most notably, they made power pop under the name Velvet Crush and released 'In the Presence of Greatness' (1991) and' Teenage Symphonies to God' (1994) on Creation Records.
But even though The Springfields’ output is less than say Velvet Crush’s, it’s massively powerful and has a sound that feels entirely relevant given the popularity of the likes of London’s Ultimate Painting and California’s Allah La’s in recent years.
Poignantly, the release appears like a genuine labour of love if – something that's palpable if we consider Slumberland Records are releasing this to celebrate 30 years as a label as it’s The Springfields who were one of the main bands that sparked them into starting their brilliant label in the first place.
Taking their cues from influences like The Byrds and The Hollies they created a sound that was as jangly and melodic as their inspirations, but marked by a unique songwriting voice, excellent tunes, and sterling arrangements. ‘Singles 1986-1991’ collects the 5 singles they released on Sarah, Picture Book, Summershine and Seminal Twang and adds one extra tune, here on vinyl for the first time. From the Paisley Underground-aligned opener “This Perfect Day” through the perfect pop of songs like “Sunflower” and a clutch of savvy covers, The Springfields created a compact, flawless catalog that more than justifies its legendary status and this timely reissue