1960s ‘Nuggets’ Holds Up to Modern Ears
Ever since I was a little kid, kicking the back of my parent’s driver’s seat to the rhythm of “Wooly Bully,” I’ve loved the hook-filled sounds of 60s garage rock. Consequently, when I came upon the now classic series Nuggets, I wasn’t surprised to find collections of songs that not only resonated with my childhood memories, but also sported powerful songwriting smarts and instrumental chops. These were songs that sometimes hit the charts and sometimes fell through the cracks. In either case, they moved with the pulse of the times and the energy of the young.
This series has now grown to include 80s neo-psychedelia and power-pop (Children of Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the Second Psychedelic Era, 1976–1995), as well as gems from around the world (Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts from the British Empire and Beyond, 1964–1969). Although these follow-ups are well worth the time of any fan of the genre, the fact that the original restricts much of its focus to American garage releases from a 4-year period gives it the benefit of authenticity.
Released in 1972 on Elektra Records, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, was compiled by future Patti Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye. The result of the authenticity produced from both its early 70s release and pre-punk credentials is that Nuggets avoids the revisionism of the Time Life compilations that have come to dominate public television airtime at 3 in the morning. There is little-to-no manufactured nostalgia. Nuggets crackles with vitality and life, even in 2012.
About the Author
Mark Schiffer Mark is a college graduate media addict who currently lives at his parent's house in Columbia, MD. Although he spent his undergrad period studying Film and Russian Literature, he currently spends much of his time watching Netflix, reading indie comic runs from beginning to end, and playing video games for their narrative content. He also plays tenor saxophone.
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