One of the most exciting British musical movements of the
late ‘70s and early ‘80s was the short-lived mod revival. While the Jam may be
credited with kick-starting the movement, its bands like Secret Affair, the
Chords, Squire, and the Lambrettas that are most closely associated with all
things mod. The closest musical equivalent to mod was the power pop scene that
was sweeping the U.S. at the same time (the Knack, 20/20, Paul Collins' Beat,
the Plimsouls, etc). Of all the mod bands that emerged from the U.K., the
Lambrettas were easily the most commercially accessible and should have easily
transcended and outlived the mod revival tag, but it was not to be. With more
hooks than a fisherman's warehouse, their 1981 debut album, Beat Boys in the
Jet Age, was an amazing collection of great songs and remains one of the most
underappreciated albums of the ‘80s. While Peter Collins' polished production
may not have showcased the grit and grime of their live sound, it is the
infectious energy and classic British song writing that make this album a real
treat. From start to finish, top to bottom, Beat Boys in the Jet Age is every
bit the "classic" album and deserves to be heard by anyone with a
passion for power pop, jangle pop, mod, and new wave.
The album's opener, "Da-a-ance," is perhaps the
band's finest two minutes, but nearly everything on this album runs a close
second, including top tunes like "Cortina Mk. II," "London
Calling," "Living for Today," "Another Day, Another Girl
(Page 3)," and the title track. Their ska-infused cover of "Poison
Ivy" was enormously successful and remains their biggest hit, yet it was
certainly not representative of the band's straight-ahead guitar pop sound. Each
of the tracks on the original album clocks in between two and three minutes,
making it a short but sweet ride that never outstays its welcome. In fact, the
album begs for repeated listening’s. Nearly 30 years later, Beat Boys is as
exciting and joyous as it was when it was first released all those years ago.