For some reason new wave music doesn’t have the same kudos as other genres. Its nervy, twitchy nature adorned with oversized suits and spectacles was never going to be the epitome of cool, yet for two brief years, that’s exactly what Pearl Harbor & The Explosions were. Formed by enigmatic vocalist Pearl E. Harbor in 1978, they soon became favourites on the San Francisco scene and looked destined for big things until, true to the band’s name, they imploded two years later. Leaving behind a solitary album that bristled with potential, it now gets a loving reissue by Liberation Hall which should garner their eponymous debut album some long overdue plaudits.

Although melody quickly became a dirty word in punk circles, listen to those old 45’s by the Buzzcocks, The Damned and The Rezillos, and you’ll find that a melodic sensibility was the common denominator. It was precisely this which new wave sought to reclaim and marry it to punk’s “no rules” ethos. Perhaps the ultimate blossoming of this union between melody and invention was The Explosions’ debut album and its opening track ‘Drivin’. Spiky and angular, it soon puts needles under your skin with razor sharp guitar lines and scrambles your brain with a bass that beats unorthodox rhythms, meaning that when the earwormy chorus appears it is with some force. It’s a neat tension of opposites between the catchy and discordant, and one that will echo throughout the album’s nine tracks.

While new wave fashion hasn’t aged that well (skinny ties, yellow slacks and button badges), the music has, and that contained within this record still sounds fresh. Cuts like ‘Keep Going’ sound at once familiar and futuristic, and as such would slot in perfectly on the soundtrack to Francis Ford Copolla’s Rumble Fish. However, as critics we can sometimes overanalyse music and it’s best to enjoy the likes of ‘Shut Up And Dance’ and ‘Get A Grip On Yourself’ (not The Stranglers song) for what they are (i.e. great, great, great songs) and revel in their pogo-inducing, air guitar-strutting glory.

Aside from Pearl’s distinctive vocals, The Explosions were blessed with three great musicians; brothers Hilary and John Stench (bass and drums respectively) who formed a formidable rhythm section and guitarist Peter Bilt, whose style is best described as “agitated”. Together they formed a tight unit who produced an angular, jittery songs you could actually dance to. While the band were unhappy with the sound producer David Kahne furnished this album with, it’s crisp and fresh and in perfect sync with the music and when we compare the single version of ‘Drivin’’ (represented here as a bonus track), the latter has a slightly muddy feel whilst that which kicks off the album is bright and breezy and sends the band on an amazing journey.

Unfortunately, Pearl Harbor & The Explosions was to be the band’s sole album with the band exploring other musical realms, most notably Pearl who relocated to the UK and released the excellent Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost too album (reviewed here). But for now, if someone was to ask you what was so great about new wave, I suggest you play them this album.

• Pearl Harbor & The Explosions is released via Liberation Hall and is available now (from here).

Track List:

1. Drivin’
2. You Got It (Release It)
3. Don’t Come Back
4. Keep Going
5. Shut Up And Dance
6. The Big One
7. So Much For Love
8. Get A Grip On Yourself
9. Up And Over

Bonus Tracks:

10. Busy Little B-Side (Non LP B-Side)
11. Drivin’ (415 Single Version)
12. Release It (415 Single Version)
13. Let’s Eat (Live, 1979)
14. Black Slacks (Live, 1979)
15. I Can Feel The Fire (Live, 1979)
16. 1979 Radio Spot)