Album Info

International Pop Overthrow 20th Anniversary Edition

Pop - 1991

Chicago’s Material Issue, led by singer-guitarist Jim Ellison, performed joyful ‘60s-inspired pop music that was never about an “Overthrow” but... more

Tracklist

1

Valerie Loves Me

3:04 min
2

Diane

2:55 min
3

Renee Remains the Same

3:17 min
4

This Letter

4:21 min
5

Out Right Now

2:03 min
6

Crazy

3:35 min
7

Chance of a Lifetime

3:03 min
8

International Pop Overthrow

2:27 min
9

Very First Lie

3:29 min
10

Trouble

3:17 min
11

There Was a Few

3:22 min
12

This Far Before

2:46 min
13

A Very Good Idea

3:53 min
14

Li'l Christine

3:20 min
15

Cowboy

5:17 min
16

Blockbuster

2:47 min
17

Echo Beach

2:40 min
18

She's Going Through My Head

2:12 min
19

The Boxer (Live)

2:31 min
20

The Girl Who Never Falls In Love

2:59 min
21

Sixteen Tambourines

4:28 min
22

The Girl With the Saddest Eyes

3:06 min

About International Pop Overthrow 20th Anniversary Edition

Chicago’s Material Issue, led by singer-guitarist Jim Ellison, performed joyful ‘60s-inspired pop music that was never about an “Overthrow” but a continuation of a fine pop music tradition. Ellison, sadly, committed suicide before the ‘90s were out. But his classic debut album, with bassist Ted Ansani and drummer Mike Zelenko, is a classic that is finally back in print. The sheer simplicity of the joy behind the sound of “Diane,” the simple rock ‘n’ roll lesson of “Renee Remains The Same” and the forward motion of “Li’l Christine,” where the group sounds like an urgent Marshall Crenshaw, are the pillars of this sublime album. There are plenty of pop confections worth hearing. “This Far Before,” “Very First Lie,” “Out Right Now” and “Valerie Loves Me” are hit singles that never were. Likely had they been originally released in 1966 and not 1991 they would’ve found a home on AM radio. The band may have been, arguably, out of time, but the songs were really timeless. The 20th Anniversary Edition includes eight bonus cuts. Covers of Thin Lizzy’s “Cowboy,” Sweet’s “Blockbuster” and Paul Simon’s “The Boxer” are great fun.