Little Murders - Stop Plus Singles 1978-1986 (2009)

MURDERS was one of many mod revival hopefuls in the late 70s/early 80s. (The band split in the mid-80s, but reunited in the 90s and has proceeded apace every since.) As with most acolytes of the JAM, the quartet’s influences were the pre-_Tommy_ WHO, the KINKS and the particularly British transmogrification of American R&B into pop – all of which came naturally to U.K. native Griffiths. In that sense, one supposes, Little Murders were hardly doing anything new or original. But Griffiths clearly loves this kind of power pop, and if he’s no innovator, he’s still quite good as what he does – there’s not a clunker amongst the 26 songs documented on this album + singles compilation. Though it sounds like the band fought against thin production most of the time, it still manages to shine on superlative pop tunes like “This is Your Life,” “Dancing Away,” “Bleeding Heart” and “Things Will Be Different.” Forget looking for pioneers and just revel in the sharp, catchy songs. Fans of the REAL KIDS or the LEN PRICE 3 will seriously dig this.