Mod revivalists the Merton Parkas formed in the anonymous neighbourhood of Merton Park, southwest London, with Danny Talbot on vocals and guitar, brot- her Mick on keyboards, Neil Hurrell on bass, and future Wedding Present drummer, Simon Smith. Discovered by punk journa- list Alan Anger, they signed to Beggar’s Banquet in 1979 for this riveting debut, which included the top-40 single, ‘You Need Wheels,’ as well as power-pop ‘Plastic Smile’ and reggae-influenced ‘Give It To Me Now.’ This brilliant LP captures the band’s dynamic start, emphasising the glory days of their short-lived grea- tness, before Mick Talbot joined Dexy’s Midnight Runners and ultimately formed the Style Council with Paul Weller.
(Radiation Records)