Diggin' for Gold, Vol. 3

The third volume in a series that collects rare 45s from mostly forgotten 1960s garage and punk bands from Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, Diggin' for Gold, Vol. 3 is a collector's delight. Most of these bands never had more than a regional hit, if that, and while there is a lot of energy, intent, and purpose on display here, it's pretty easy to see why few of these sides ever penetrated too far into the international pop world. Full of chaotic, messy arrangements and production, these were records of the moment, and collected like this, they carry a kind of retrospective weight of importance that would probably startle anyone in the original bands. Highlights include Belgium's the Dayak's Dylanesque "So Long, Sad Sack," Australia's Soul Agents' manic "I'm Still Mad at You," the U.K.'s Phase 4's "Listen to the Blues," and the U.K.'s Tommy Scott's rewrite of "Gloria," "I Can Only Give You Everything." ~ Steve Leggett