The Vaqueros – Growing Pains

One of the gems from the 7th Teenage Shutdown volume, which is by far my favourite garage rock compilation. A surprisingly teen-angsty little wonder of a song with a fuzzy riff, harmonies, and an aching chorus in a sudden, almost Middle-Eastern sounding minor key, which ends in a neat little drum shuffle. I think the band consists of teenagers, and they sound young, but at the same time their vocals are quite mature and full, idk how to describe it.

The Shandels – Shades Of Blue
This song is a ｍｏｏｄ for me. It reminds me of some lost music from my childhood which I can’t remember. Just the melancholy undertone of the melody and the combination of organ (?) and vocals (with harmonies of course!) does something to me. Of course, like so many of these songs, this one also has an instrumental interlude with some lovely organ interplay.

The Starlites – Wait For Me
This gives me early Kinks vibes: both because of the voice of the singer and the minimal All-Day-And-All-Of-The-Night-Type riff, which is made extra memorable by Baroque-like little frills. It goes very well together with the vocal harmonies of the chorus. There’s also a fun fuzzy little intermezzo.

War Lords – Real Fine Lady
Bouncier than a trampoline. Great vocals too, from the ‘Hey!’ kicking off every verse to the bellowed ‘AND I DOOON'T WANT YOUR LOOVIIING ANY MOOOORE’. The chord progression which opens the song contrasts in a fun way with the energy of the rest of it. And it seems to have been written by someone named Popelka, which is a ****ing cool name.

JD Rogues - Why Did God Make Girls?
ｍｏｏｄ
honestly musically it's pretty bland but the lyrics are top shelf lol

The Hangmen - Faces
A strange one, in a good way. Groovy verses with a great bass (also the dynamic between the bass and guitar). Then suddenly this warm sounding chord and just the weirdest riff. The lyrics seem to be pseudo-enlightened psychedelic nonsense ('how long can you laugh before you cry/how long can you live before you die'), which adds just the right sprinkle of goofiness.

Classics - I'm Hurtin
This one is a gem of amateurishness. It sounds like someone singing and making a racket with some homemade percussion instruments in his bedroom with a production which sounds like it was recorded from a different room à la Raw Power. I love his voice and delivery too.

The Pussycats - I Want Your Love
I love this; the heartbeat-like rhythm (partly generated by the backup whoo-hoo's), the exciting harmonic crescendo at every chorus, and then the sudden amazing release and jubilant orchestral bit, ending in a trumpet cry. What a song.

Silvye-Anne - Un Tour Dehors
A swinging jazzy French cover of Day Tripper. The little bass bit at 0:20 is delightful.

^^It's the bongos for me. Cute.

Can I slide a garage favorite in here? :)