For this week's #threetunetuesday, I went back to my birth year of 1976. No, nothing Floyd or punk, or even post-modern Joy Division...I went to this classic cult album that no really seems to know anything about. The album is called Shake Some Action, and it was produced by the Flamin' Groovies in June of 1976.
I first read of this album in that old-time book, The All Music Guide. This album, per the book's authors, picked up a 5 out of 5 star rating, and said something to the extent that this album sounds like "The Beatles in 1964." Well, you know I had to find it, and off to Napster I went. Two weeks later, I had the album download -hooray!
If you have heard of the band, you are likely familiar with the title track, Shake Some Action. It's a wonderful track straight out of the 60's and leads this album off right; I opted to share three of my other favorite songs for this #ttt, as initiated by 
Flamin' Groovies : Sometimes
The second track on this album, and one can already hear those early Beatles. Maybe a little Elvis thrown in there, too. It has a shakey sound going on in the background, and the harmonies are ringing around. A slick little middle eight to tie it all together, and you can hear why some thought the band was shooting for early 60's Lennon and McCartney. A true gem that most have probably never heard before.
Flamin' Groovies : You Tore Me Down
This is my favorite track on the whole album. I love the electric lead, the acoustics, the harmonies, and the lyrics. Definitely a Lennon and Macca sound, maybe some Everly Brothers too. "You tore me down, you tore me down, you tore me down..." What a melancholy but beautiful song. I still get goosebumps when I listen to this one with the earphones on. Beautiful stuff from 1976, and profound in some kind of universal way.
Flamin' Groovies : I'll Cry Alone
Here's another one with the fuzzy bass (thinking Rubber Soul?) and some darker lyrics. "I knew you never wanted me like that...you knew that you were all I ever had." Such a good song. Again, harmonies, guitars, accompaniment, and I think that fuzzy bass. It's short but sweet, like a lot of their songs.
Again, these are only three, but if they pique your interest, I highly recommend checking out the full album. Pick it up on vinyl, too. I know I plan to as I've rediscovered this one the past few weeks on the morning commute.
That's it for this week's share. I'm already starting to think of some tunes for next week. Fortunately, I have a full week to shred through another album. Thanks for stopping by to take a look (and drop a line if you can!)