Various Artists - DIY - Shake It Up! - American Power Pop II (1978-80)

DIY: Shake It Up! - American Power Pop II (1978-80) is a definitive compilation album released by Rhino Records on 16 February 1993. Curated by Gary Stewart and remastered by Bill Inglot and Ken Perry, it serves as the third volume in Rhino's acclaimed nine-part D.I.Y. series documenting the underground punk and power pop movements. This specific collection captures the vibrant, melodic energy of late-1970s American guitar rock, featuring legendary tracks from influential bands like The Romantics ("What I Like About You"), Shoes ("Tomorrow Night"), and 20/20 ("Yellow Pills"). Enhanced by distinctive cover illustrations from alternative comic artist Peter Bagge, the album is highly regarded by music historians as an essential archive of an era defined by catchy hooks, driving rhythms, and independent songwriting.

The album provides a comprehensive look at the regional scenes and independent singles that kept mid-tempo rock alive right before the rise of MTV. It bridges the gap between mainstream radio rock and the emerging college alternative scene, highlighting essential contributions from acts like The Rubinoos, Paul Collins' Beat, and Chris Stamey & The dB's. By collecting rare 45rpm singles and underground fan favorites, the compilation highlights a brief but passionate window in American music history where power pop briefly crossed over from local club circuits to national subcultural prominence.

DIY: Shake It Up! - American Power Pop II (1978-80) stands as a masterclass in musical curation, capturing a brief, euphoric window in American rock history with infectious energy. Released by Rhino Records in 1993, this third volume of the D.I.Y. series shines a brilliant spotlight on the guitar-driven, hook-heavy landscape that thrived just beneath the mainstream radar. While punk was dismantling old rock structures with raw noise, the artists assembled here chose a different kind of rebellion: weaponizing sugar-spun Beatlesque melodies, driving backbeats, and razor-sharp 12-string guitar jangle. The compilation balances regional club anomalies with early alternative anthems, functioning simultaneously as a nostalgia-fueled celebration and an essential historical document.

The true genius of the record lies in its sequence and sonic variety, engineered flawlessly by the legendary audio remastering duo of Bill Inglot and Ken Perry. From the explosive opening title track by The Cryers to the relentless urgency of The Plimsouls' "Zero Hour," the album moves at a breathless, high-velocity pace. Major highlights include The Rubinoos' delightfully desperate "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend," a song with a chorus so sticky it remains lodged in your brain for days. It is paired brilliantly with underground royalty like Shoes ("Tomorrow Night") and 20/20 ("Yellow Pills"), showcasing the distinct Midwestern and West Coast styles that would soon pave the path toward the 1980s new wave movement.

While mainstream listeners will instantly recognise The Romantics' classic "What I Like About You," the collection deserves its high praise for rescuing rarer, independent 45rpm singles from obscurity. Cuts like Chris Stamey & The dB's' "(I Thought) You Wanted to Know" and Paul Collins' Beat's "Walking Out on Love" represent the raw, unpolished pinnacle of the DIY ethic. These songs didn't require massive studio budgets; they relied purely on pristine songwriting, propulsive tempos, and a shared subcultural devotion to the three-minute pop single. By preserving these elusive gems, compiler Gary Stewart gave a second life to overlooked masterpieces that radio programmers shortsightedly ignored.

Ultimately, Shake It Up! is a flawless time capsule that transcends the typical corporate "greatest hits" cash-in. Complete with cheeky, era-appropriate alternative comic cover illustrations by Peter Bagge, the album feels like a thoughtfully crafted mixtape passed down by a cool older sibling. It captures the sound of young musicians making music for the absolute joy of it, completely unburdened by the hyper-polished demands of the MTV era that loomed just around the corner. For anyone seeking to understand the missing link between mid-70s pub rock and 90s alternative guitar pop, this collection remains an unparalleled, five-star masterwork.

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1. "Shake It Up (Ain't It Time)" – The Cryers (3:14)

2. "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" – The Rubinoos (3:22)

3. "(I Thought) You Wanted to Know" – Chris Stamey & The dB's (3:15)

4. "The First One" – Gary Valentine (2:37)

5. "Love You Tonight" – Prix (3:11)

6. "Giving It All" – 20/20 (2:48)

7. "Tell It to Carrie" – The Romantics (3:19)

8. "Tomorrow Night" – Shoes (2:59)

9. "Yellow Pills" – 20/20 (4:17)

10. "Walking Out on Love" – The Beat (1:47)

11. "Too Late" – Shoes (2:46)

12. "Work-A-Day World" – The Beat (2:56)

13. "Waiting for the Night" – The Pop (3:34)

14. "You Got It (Release It)" – Pearl Harbor & The Explosions (2:31)

15. "Stay in Time" – Off Broadway (2:57)

16. "What I Like About You" – The Romantics (2:55)

17. "Zero Hour" – The Plimsouls (2:35)

18. "I Like Girls" – The Know (2:09)

19. "Tell That Girl to Shut Up" – Holly & The Italians (2:59)