The Connection, “Coolest Song in the World” & Rum Bar Reissue

Brad Marino, Geoff Palmer and The Connection have been very busy since their inception back in 2011. Just last year, they released two full length recordings – one as The Connection and another as one half of The New Trocaderos with Kurt Baker. Both were included on this reviewer’s best power pop albums of 2015. Their subsequent efforts would yield several Little Steven “Coolest Song in the World” distinctions.

Now, Rum Bar Records has assembled some early recordings, bolstering their debut EP and repackaging it as a full-length reissue. For those who missed the band’s early work, this reissue is a great way to get up to speed. The band’s roots in British Invasion, Ramones and Rockpile styled power pop and rock are readily apparent as well as their early ability to craft a smart song with a surplus of raw energy.

The first eight tracks consist of the band’s first EP including seven originals and the Dee Dee Ramone penned “Baby Doll”. If you enjoyed any of their subsequent recordings, you’ll love these early tracks.

In 2012, The Connection released a follow up EP entitled Seven Nights To Rock. As you probably have already surmised, the title track is a cover of the classic rockabilly song of the same name. But there was so much more to like about this next EP. There’s a great cover of The Ramones’ “Yeah, Yeah”, a song that got a great deal of airplay on Little Steven’s Garage called “I Think She Digs Me”, and a cover of The Real Kids’ “Bad To Worse”.

As is too often the case, power pop fans in Japan and Spain caught on to The Connection before the folks in the US did. Now, with the re-release of these vinyl recordings in CD form, Rum Bar Records tries to get us up to speed.

You can get a copy of The Connection’s repackaged early recordings RIGHT HERE. If you’ve not had the opportunity to hear the band’s early work, I suggest you give this one a listen. I think you’ll be glad you did.