McTells – Smash Up on vinyl LP. 1994 International Pop Underground affiliate, English trio, twee guitar pop. Ships from Germany.
About Smash Up
A vinyl pressing of the second full length from English twee pop trio McTells, released on the German Little Teddy Records label.
Smash Up is the second full length album from McTells, released in 1994 via Little Teddy Records. An English trio fronted by singer Paul Nixon, the band were among the more prolific acts affiliated with the International Pop Underground scene via the Bi-Joopiter label, delivering scrappy, three-chord twee pop across a small but devoted catalogue. This listing is a vinyl LP pressing from a Berlin based eBay seller.
- Who were McTells
- About Smash Up
- Critical reception
- Pressing details and buying advice
In Brief
- Artist McTells were an English twee pop trio fronted by singer Paul Nixon, affiliated with the International Pop Underground scene via the Bi-Joopiter label.
- Release Smash Up came out in 1994 via German label Little Teddy Records, the band’s second full length album.
- Sound Scrappy, three-chord twee pop with nasal melodies, following on from their earlier releases including 1989’s Cut Up.
- Covers Includes a cover of Daniel Johnston’s Museum, alongside original material.
- Legacy Frequently compared to Australia’s Cannanes as a British counterpart delivering similar songwriting via a lighter, poppier lens.
McTells – Smash Up (LP, Album)
Vinyl LP, Little Teddy Records
Vinyl LP pressing of Smash Up, sold by a Berlin based eBay seller with 100% positive feedback.
Pressing Specifications
Who Were McTells?
McTells were an English trio fronted by singer Paul Nixon, active through the late 1980s and into the mid-1990s as one of the more prolific acts affiliated with the International Pop Underground scene via the German Bi-Joopiter label. Their early work, including 1989's Cut Up, has been described as holding a British mirror up to Australia's Cannanes, delivering similarly wry, wandering songwriting but through a lighter, more overtly poppy lens, built from chattering, mod-influenced guitar pop dominated by call-and-response 'bop bops' and 'whoo-oos'.
About Smash Up
Described as the band's second real full length, Smash Up carries a little more muscle and push than their earlier releases while remaining just as scrappy and whiny in spirit. Nixon's voice, worn from years of touring and recording, anchors a set of songs built on unwavering three-chord energy, including a cover of outsider songwriter Daniel Johnston's Museum. Though critics noted the band's tendency to retrace familiar steps rather than push into dramatically new territory, Smash Up captured McTells at their most confident and driven, a fitting entry in the band's small but devoted catalogue before their activity wound down.
Critical Reception
- Authentic International Pop Underground affiliated twee pop
- Unwavering three-chord energy and confident songwriting
- Features a notable Daniel Johnston cover
- A genuine cult item from a small but devoted catalogue
- Some critical reservations about the band retracing familiar ground
- Niche appeal outside twee pop and lo-fi indie collectors
- Fixed shipping cost from Germany
What is Smash Up by McTells?
It is the second full length album from English twee pop trio McTells, released in 1994 via Little Teddy Records.
Who were McTells?
An English trio fronted by singer Paul Nixon, affiliated with the International Pop Underground scene via the Bi-Joopiter label.
Does this album include any covers?
Yes, it includes a cover of outsider songwriter Daniel Johnston’s Museum.
What other bands are McTells compared to?
Critics have compared their early work to Australia’s Cannanes, delivering similar songwriting through a lighter, poppier lens.
Does this listing ship outside Germany?
The seller is based in Berlin and lists a fixed shipping cost; check the current listing for up to date international shipping options and rates.
Where To Buy This Pressing
Should You Buy This Copy?
- A scrappy, energetic entry in a genuine International Pop Underground affiliated catalogue
- Confident, three-chord twee pop with a notable Daniel Johnston cover
- Best suited to fans of twee pop and lo-fi indie collections
Smash Up captures McTells at their most driven and confident, and this listing offers a vinyl pressing from a highly rated German seller.