Our most recent compilation CD This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 was released in August of 2017. One year ago today, I posted TIRnRR # 4 Track-By-Track, an exhaustive (but fun!) 30-part guide to the tracks on that CD. My intrepid co-host Dana and I are extraordinarily proud of TIRnRR # 4, and we continue to hope that more rockin' pop fans will discover and appreciate its irresistible charms.
As the compilation's first anniversary sped past, I became conscious of a growing conviction: this is one of the greatest pop compilations ever done. Seriously. I'm no stranger to hyperbole--I speak fluent hype--but I'm sincere in my belief in this collection. In the broad 'n' delightful category of pure pop, alt-pop, rockin' pop, and power pop compilations, there have been a number of superlative sets. Not a one of 'em is better than This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4.
No, not even Yellow Pills.
Listen, man: it ain't braggin' if you can back it up. Jordan Oakes' Yellow Pills compilations are regarded as the Gold Standard of power pop collections. I can't name a single such set that is held in higher regard than 1993's Yellow Pills Volume 1, and for good reason. It's a fantastic set that deserves its exalted reputation.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 is its equal. For real.
Forgive my sin of hubris, my sin of pride, my sin of Schmilsson--wait, strike that last one--but dammit, TIRnRR # 4 really is as great as Yellow Pills Volume 1. Certainly the two discs share some personnel, as both include tracks by The Rubinoos, The Flashcubes, Chris von Sneidern, and The Spongetones (represented on our TIRnRR # 4 by a radio show ID and individual tracks by Spongetones members Steve Stoeckel [recording with Pop Co-Op] and Jamie Hoover [recording with Stepford Knives]). Jordan had The Cowsills, Dwight Twilley, and Tommy Keene, but we have P. Hux, The Smithereens, Paul Collins' Beat, The Grip Weeds, Ray Paul, and Circe Link & Christian Nesmith. Both discs sport liner notes by an esteemed rockin' pop journalist (Jordan on Yellow Pills, lovable ol' me on TIRnRR # 4), and both are simply more fun than a barrel full of lizards. All of the Yellow Pills CDs are out of print, but you can still get This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 from Kool Kat Musik at https://tinyurl.com/ycnly8oz.
There will be a digital edition of TIRnRR # 4 available soon from the good folks at Futureman Records, though we're not yet certain whether or not The Smithereens' track will be part of the downloadable version. In the mean time, Futureman already offers digital versions of the out-of-print This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio Volume 1, Volume 2, and Volume 3. Physical copies of Volume 2 are still available from CDBaby, or for $10 (including domestic shipping) via PayPal to ccdatsme@aol.com. Each of these is a terrific compilation for rockin' pop fans to cherish for all eternity.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 is the best of the lot, and it's in a class with Yellow Pills Volume 1. If you like Yellow Pills, I can't see how you wouldn't also enjoy This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio.
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