How Pop Can You Get?
How Pop Can You Get? was the only album by musical group The Bats, consisting of Jon Brion, Bill Murphy and Don "Riff" Fertman. It was recorded in New Haven and West Haven, Connecticut and released on the Gustav label (Gustav UA1001) in the fall of 1982.
How Pop Can You Get? | |
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Studio album by The Bats | |
Released | 1982 |
Genre | Power pop |
Label | Gustav Records |
Alternative cover | |
2008 release cover |
Reviews
Called "The Pop(ulist) album of the Year" by Op Magazine: The Lost Music network, the record received much critical acclaim and was even a Billboard "Recommended LP" when reviewed in the October 2, 1982 issue. The album, however, ultimately failed to chart. In 2006, The Bats song "Not My Girl Anymore" appeared in the soundtrack of the movie Nail Polish which also featured songs from The Cars, Joan Jett and Elvis Costello. In 2008, a digitally remastered How Pop Can You Get? with bonus track "Popgun" will be available for download through most major online music retailers.
"From the cover, this looks like wacky new wave pop a la B-52’s. What’s on the vinyl though is well-crafted, if youthful power pop. This group is only a trio, and from their looks quite young but manages to project a full, powerful sound. Though on a small label the sound is crisp and professional.
To those who wake up every morning to well worn copies of the Rasperries’ “Go All the Way,” this ones for you."– Billboard Magazine 10/02/82
Track listing
All music and lyrics by The Bats (Jon Brion, Bill Murphy, Don Fertman)
- "Chauve-Souris" – :45
- "How Pop Can You Get?" – 2:42
- "Not Easy For Me" – 3:33
- "Will She ever Come Around?" – 3:15
- "Mr. Peculiar" – 2:45
- "Living In Alaska" – 3:05
- "Not My Girl Anymore" – 3:15
- "Something Ventured" – 3:26
- "Hey Teen-Age" – 5:25
- "Why Does Suzy Have Bad Dreams?" – 3:07
- "Paranoid Schizophrenic" – 3:01
- "Every Night" – 3:58
- "Too Out Bottom of the Ninth" – 7:26
All songs ASCAP