From the Paisley Pop eGroup:
Make Yourself a Happening Machine: A Collection [Rykodisc, April 2006]
When considering the geographical origins of the paisley underground
movement of the early '80s, the Midwest isn't the first place you
would think of. During the West Coast uprising of bands like Dream
Syndicate, Rain Parade, Thin White Rope, the Three O'Clock, and Green
on Red, the Milwaukee-based Plasticland had already been knee-deep in
psychedelia due, in part, to the rare record-collecting fetish of
founding members Glenn Rehse (vocals, guitar, organ) and John
Frankovic (bass). From the get-go, Plasticland bypassed the darker
Velvet Underground influence that most bands of the era were paying
lip service to. Their goal was to pursue a brighter, more melodic
musical approach, thus avoiding pointless jamming behind walls of
feedback when lacking inspiration. Instead, they embraced the sights
and sounds of early British flower-power pop initiated 15 years
earlier by such influences as Tomorrow, Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett,
the Smoke, and the Creation. The 30 tracks on Make Yourself a
Happening Machine: A Collection gather on CD for the first time the
best from their albums, EPs, flexi-discs, and various compilations,
some of it having been out of print for years. The sound quality here
is uniformly excellent, as are the detailed liner notes by Nigel
Cross. As is the case with the Cramps' timeless approach to
rockabilly, Plasticland didn't simply ape retro pseudo-psychedelia;
they are everlastingly there and you're along for the ride. Only
complaint: leaving off "Elongations" and their admirable version of
the Pretty Things' "Alexander." ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide
