Sorrows

Despite the group's limited commercial success, there have been several Sorrows CD compilations. Why should you get this one, whether you already have Sorrows collections or are looking for the best Sorrows anthology? Well, the 30 tracks do include everything essential from their mid-'60s prime, including both sides of their seven 1965-1967 singles; the stereo version of their 1965 album Take a Heart, which included a couple songs not on those 45s, as well as slightly different, re-recorded versions of some numbers that also appeared on singles, and four outtakes. That in fact totals up to almost everything the Sorrows recorded in the mid-'60s, not merely their best tracks, though it does omit some foreign language versions and outtakes that have appeared on previous compilations. More importantly, however, it has a 16-page booklet that's amply illustrated with vintage photos and clippings…

A tough but tuneful new wave pop band from New York City, Sorrows (no "the," please) were formed by guitarist and singer Arthur Alexander in 1977 a few months after the breakup of his influential power pop combo the Poppees. With tongue slightly in cheek, Alexander described his vision for Sorrows as "ABBA meets the Sex Pistols," and he recruited his former Poppees bandmate Jett Harris to play drums in the new group, along with guitarist Joey Cola and bassist Ricky Street. Sorrows soon made a name for themselves on the New York club scene, regularly playing CBGB's, Max's Kansas City, and other hip night spots, and in 1979, the band landed a record deal with Pavilion Records, a division of CBS…