DIY: Come Out And Play - American Power Pop I (1975-78) is a seminal compilation album released by Rhino Records in 1993 as part of its influential nine-part D.I.Y. series. Curated by Gary Stewart and remastered by Bill Inglot, the 19-track collection chronicles the underground, hyper-melodic guitar rock blooming across the United States just as punk rock exploded. Heavily influenced by the British Invasion, these independent and cult artists relied on a strict "Do-It-Yourself" work ethic to tour and self-release singles, bypassing the mainstream music industry. The album is visually tied together with cover illustrations by acclaimed alternative comic book artist Daniel Clowes.
Musically, the compilation functions as an essential time capsule of energetic hooks, driving rhythms, and tragic cult heroes. While it features marquee names like Cheap Trick, its true value lies in preserving foundational regional singles, such as the original version of "Hanging on the Telephone" by The Nerves and the haunting "I Am the Cosmos" by Big Star co-founder Chris Bell. By gathering these hard-to-find tracks in one place, the release serves as both a definitive historical archive and a perfect introduction to the high-energy, jangly sound of American power pop's golden era.
DIY: Come Out And Play - American Power Pop I (1975-78) stands as a towering, essential archive of a musical movement that thrived entirely on its own terms. Released by Rhino Records in 1993, this sixth volume of the landmark D.I.Y. series brilliantly captures the hyper-melodic, guitar-driven energy that bubbled beneath the surface of the mid-to-late 1970s American mainstream. While radio airwaves were dominated by corporate arena rock and disco, a loose network of underground musicians looked backward to British Invasion hooks and forward to punk's raw economy. Curators Gary Stewart and remastering engineer Bill Inglot assembled nineteen tracks that serve as both an explosive rock-and-roll mixtape and a crucial document of a subculture defined by independent singles and self-financed tours.
The true brilliance of this compilation lies in its democratic sequencing, placing commercial near-misses alongside tragic cult legends. It opens spectacularly with the Flamin’ Groovies’ "Shake Some Action," a shimmering masterpiece of jangly guitars and yearning vocals that acts as the spiritual blueprint for the entire genre. From there, the collection balances the power chord precision of Cheap Trick's "Southern Girls" and the propulsive energy of power pop purists Pezband with breathtakingly raw independent releases. It is a world where unmatched songwriting talent frequently outpaced commercial luck, demonstrating how regional scenes across America were simultaneously discovering the same formula of loud guitars and sweet harmonies.
Beyond merely gathering great songs, the compilation shines a spotlight on the foundational DIY ethos that birthed modern indie rock. The inclusion of two tracks by The Nerves—the brief, brilliant trio featuring Jack Lee, Peter Case, and Paul Collins—perfectly encapsulates this work ethic. Their original recording of "Hanging on the Telephone" (later made famous by Blondie) crackles with an urgent, home-cooked intensity that proves these artists did not need major label backing to create timeless art. This fierce independence is reflected even in the packaging, which features front cover illustrations by legendary alternative comic artist Daniel Clowes, further cementing the album's status as a champion of vibrant, outsider art.
The compilation reaches its emotional peak and conclusion with Chris Bell’s haunting "I Am the Cosmos." Recorded after his departure from the seminal but commercially ill-fated band Big Star, the track provides a melancholic, transcendent finale that elevates the album from a simple nostalgia trip to a profound celebration of artistic devotion. By preserving these elusive, frequently out-of-print singles in one meticulously engineered package, Rhino Records did not just curate a playlist; they saved a vital chapter of American music history from obscurity. For vinyl junkies, power pop obsessives, and casual rock fans alike, Come Out And Play remains an exhilarating, flawless entry point into a golden era of underground pop perfection.
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1. "Shake Some Action" – Flamin' Groovies
2. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" – Pezband
3. "Hanging on the Telephone" – The Nerves
4. "Wayside" – Artful Dodger
5. "Hit the Floor" – Earth Quake
6. "Can't Wait" – Piper
7. "When You Find Out" – The Nerves
8. "The Summer Sun" – Chris Stamey
9. "Blow Yourself Up" – Tommy Hoehn
10. "My Mind" – The Scruffs
11. "Why Can't It Be?" – The Names
12. "Southern Girls" – Cheap Trick
13. "All Kindsa Girls" – The Real Kids
14. "Come Out and Play" – Paley Brothers
15. "Where Have You Been All My Life" – Fotomaker
16. "Stop! Wait a Minute" – Pezband
17. "Christi Girl" – The Flashcubes
18. "Tired of Waking Up Tired" – The Diodes
19. "I Am the Cosmos" – Chris Bell
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