The Best Of Kimberley Rew

Kimberley Rew was a key member of the Soft Boys and Katrina & The Waves. While he is not a famous man here in the U.S., he is well respected among musicians and his music has been a major influence on power-pop bands and, most specifically, R.E.M. This collection of “hits” from his solo albums is quite powerful and deserving of a much larger audience. “Hey, War Pig!” has a novel appeal, being an anti-war song that smoothly glides down the highway, unlike most protest songs. But it’s tracks such as “Stomping All Over The World,” “My Baby Does Her Hairdo Long,” “English Road” and “Simple Pleasures” that define a modern power-pop master at work. His guitar lines are clean and concise; his vocals are clear and earnest. When he does slow down, it’s for the moody swoon of “Honey, Is That Love” and the thick guitar-tone of “The Radio Played Good Vibrations.” His tribute to the eccentric “Screaming Lord Sutch” sounds much like the work of his former partner, Robyn Hitchcock — both great pop craftsmen who make songs for the ages. This collection is near perfect.