First String Teenage High: The Songs of Tullycraft Played By People Who Aren't

First String Teenage High: The Songs of Tullycraft Played By People Who Aren't
was orginally co-released in 2003 by AAJ and Bumblebear records. The initial run was only 500 cd's and has been out of print for ages. Thankfully though, everyone involved in the project agreed that it was about time to re-release the record for the digital masses. So here we are now in 2009 with the re-release of First String Teenage High: The Songs of Tullycraft Played By People Who Aren't. For those who love Tullycraft and who missed the record when it was originally released it's the perfect opportunity to actually finally hear the album and for those of you going what the heck is a Tullycraft, well let this album serve as an introduction.

First String Teenage High: The Songs of Tullycraft Played By People Who Aren't is a bit rough and tumble but the purity of Tullycraft's songs shine through all the lo-fi production, and shambolic playing. It's a tribute record after all, so the mere sentiment of twenty four bands paying homage to their favorite band is pretty darn cool. As tribute records go it's like most, very hit and miss. While a vast majority of the tunes here are rather well done. Some, on the other hand, leave little to be desired (see, Murder Beach's, "8 Great Ways,") and had me reaching for the oringals in hopes of redemption. There are some fantastic covers here though, Invaders From A Forbidden Planet's, "Josie," is DIY pop perfection and Kanda's, "Break Seaside and Over," is so twee it hurts.

Having been a Tullycraft fan for ages and never even knowing this record existed, hearing First String Teenage High: The Songs of Tullycraft Played By People Who Aren't for the first time was a lot of fun. While I was heavily into twee in the late 90's by 2003 I had fallen out of touch with the movement so this has not only been a trip down memory lane but a voyage of discovery as well. First String Teenage High: The Songs of Tullycraft Played By People Who Aren't is thouroughly enjoyable. For anyone who has ever considered themselves loosely obsessed with twee pop, this record is just about essential. First String Teenage High: The Songs of Tullycraft Played By People Who Aren't is a lovingly crafted tribute with classic songs done by bands four people have heard of, and who have since broken up! Fun stuff.