DIY: Starry Eyes - UK Pop II (1978-79) is a premier compilation album released by Rhino Records in 1993 as part of its acclaimed nine-volume DIY series. This specific installment captures the vibrant transition period in the British music scene when the raw aggression of punk rock evolved into the melodic, hook-heavy sensibilities of power pop and new wave. Featuring 19 tracks, the collection serves as an essential sonic time capsule of late-70s Britain, blending major chart-toppers with rare, highly sought-after singles from the era. The album's title itself pays homage to the power pop classic "Starry Eyes" by The Records, setting a bright, guitar-driven tone for the entire compilation.
The tracklist balances legendary, genre-defining anthems with hidden gems from underground acts. Listener favorites include the Buzzcocks' bittersweet punk-pop masterpiece "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)," Squeeze's kitchen-sink drama "Up the Junction," and The Undertones' high-energy "Get Over You." Alongside these staples, the album shines a spotlight on essential contributions from artists like XTC, Joe Jackson, The Jags, and The Tourists (featuring a pre-Eurythmics Annie Lennox). Highly praised by critics for its impeccable curation and crisp audio remastering, this out-of-print compilation remains a definitive primer for fans of late-70s British alternative pop.
DIY: Starry Eyes - UK Pop II (1978-79) is a masterfully curated time capsule that captures British guitar music at a vital crossroads. Released by Rhino Records in 1993 as the fourth entry in their acclaimed DIY series, this 19-track compilation documents the precise moment the cynical snarl of 1977 punk dissolved into the shimmering, melodic optimism of power pop and new wave. By 1978, British youth were trading three-chord nihilism for tight harmonies, jangly Rickenbacker riffs, and sharp mod tailored suits. Named after The Records’ quintessential anthem of the same name, this collection serves as a definitive audio textbook on how the UK indie scene weaponized pop hooks without losing its underground, rebellious edge.
The brilliance of the album lies in its flawless sequencing, which seamlessly bridges the gap between chart-topping legends and obscure crate-digger classics. Mainstream listeners will immediately recognize the breathless, romantic angst of the Buzzcocks' "Ever Fallen in Love," the conversational storytelling of Squeeze's "Up the Junction," and the jerky, art-school brilliance of XTC's "Life Begins at the Hop." Yet, the compilation earns its legendary status among collectors by rescuing brilliant, lesser-known tracks from the margins of music history. Gems like Bram Tchaikovsky’s soaring "Girl of My Dreams" and The Motors’ driving "Forget About You" prove that the late-70s British airwaves were overflowing with immaculate songwriting talent that bypassed American radio entirely.
Musically, the compilation functions as a masterclass in the economy of pop songwriting, where nearly every track clocks in under three and a half minutes. Listeners are treated to a masterly display of jangly guitars, propulsive basslines, and hyper-caffeinated drum beats that echo the classic 1960s British Invasion, but re-energised with punk-rock adrenaline. Highlights like The Undertones' "Get Over You" and The Jags' blatant but brilliant Elvis Costello homage "Back of My Hand" are relentless in their delivery of infectious, radio-ready choruses. Even early appearances from Joe Jackson and The Tourists (featuring a young Annie Lennox) highlight a sophisticated, musically proficient scene that was rapidly maturing past the primitive limits of early punk rock.
More than thirty years after its release, and long after going out of print, this compilation remains the gold standard for late-70s retrospectives. Rhino Records’ pristine digital remastering preserves the punchy, treble-heavy dynamics of the original 7-inch vinyl singles, ensuring the music sounds as vibrant and urgent as it did in the smoky pubs of London and Manchester decades ago. It stands as a vital reminder that the post-punk era wasn't just about dark, brooding goth rock; it was also a celebratory explosion of colourful, guitar-driven joy. For power pop purists and casual alternative rock fans alike, Starry Eyes remains an absolutely flawless, essential listening experience.
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Here are the key standout tracks from DIY: Starry Eyes - UK Pop II (1978-79), broken down by what makes them essential to the collection:
The Genre-Defining Anthems
The Records – "Starry Eyes": The album’s title track and the ultimate benchmark for UK power pop. It combines a bittersweet lyric about music industry betrayal with a soaring, Byrds-esque guitar jangle.
Buzzcocks – "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)": The absolute pinnacle of punk-pop. Pete Shelley’s masterpiece delivers intense punk energy wrapped in a flawless, radio-friendly pop melody.
Squeeze – "Up the Junction": A masterclass in kitchen-sink realism. Driven by a bouncy bassline and unique lyric structure, it tells a poignant story of working-class London life without ever repeating a chorus.
High-Energy Power Pop Gems
The Undertones – "Get Over You": Coming straight out of Northern Ireland, this track delivers a blast of pure teenage adrenaline, featuring roaring guitars and Feargal Sharkey’s signature vocal warble.
Bram Tchaikovsky – "Girl of My Dreams": A massive, wall-of-sound pop track from the former Motors guitarist. It features huge vocal harmonies and one of the most infectious, driving choruses of 1979.
The Jags – "Back of My Hand": Infamous for sounding more like Elvis Costello than Costello himself, this track is a brilliant, hyper-kinetic slice of new wave that became a major UK top-20 hit.
Art-School & Sophisticated Wave
XTC – "Life Begins at the Hop": A sharp, quirky tribute to 1950s youth culture. It highlights Colin Moulding’s intricate bass playing and the band's transition into inventive, art-pop pioneers.
Joe Jackson – "Is She Really Going Out with Him?": Driven by a minimalist, iconic bassline, this track established Jackson as a premier chronicler of cynical, clever new wave pop.
The Tourists – "The Loneliest Man in the World": A jangly, retro-sounding track that is highly notable for featuring the early songwriting and vocal talents of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart before they formed Eurythmics.
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