Dogged by the same industry ill health that saw so many hopefuls fall by the wayside, The Waltones were much fancied challengers to the winsome pop of Orange Juice or The Housemartins until a�distribution deal collapsed on the eve of their first album’s release. This 24-track compilation gathers together the handful of singles that made it to the shops and the long player that proved so hard to find back in the late 80s.
A Manchester four-piece weaned on the ferocity of Dexys Midnight Runners and the pop sensibilities of The Beatles, the group garnered reams of favourable press from the inky music weeklies, but few punters got to hear the records. That’s a real shame, as Spell It Out, She Looks Right Through Me and Don’t Understand are pristine examples of smart-mouthed indie guitar with more than a smidgen of the bravado that marked out the best of the so called C86 set.
Waltone Mark Collins went on to brighter days with The Charlatans, while the remaining members regrouped for the shortlived Candlestick Park. Here you’ll find just about everything they ever recorded, offering belated recognition for a band who coulda been serious contenders.
