POPCORN BLIZZARD Explode RARE 1968 pop psych LP HEAR

$

113

WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS…

Popcorn Blizzard "Explode"

Original 1968 pr0m0 issue on DE-LITE, STEREO DE-2004

Cover:  EXCELLENT, super crisp, DJ stamp on back

Vinyl:  Looks real clean, plays VG++

First things first – this album does NOT feature Meat Loaf.  A lot of dealers hype THIS particular Popcorn Blizzard album as one of the Meat’s early bands, but that ain’t true.  I can see where the mixup would occur - the Meatster WAS in a Detroit band called Popcorn Explosion, and associating him with any band named after a snack food would certainly seem logical.  But Meat’s Popcorn Explosion was based in Detroit, and they only released one single.  THIS Popcorn Explosion was based out of Mahwah, New Jersey, and they got out two singles and this lovely popsike album.  I know, I know - it seems darn near impossible that there should be TWO bands in 1968 with the name Popcorn Explosion, but hey, strange things happen.  I mean, Bat Out of Hell 2: Back Into Hell sold over 14 million copies.  Explain that one to me.

Normally, a statement like “this album does not feature Meat Loaf” would be followed by a reply like “Okay, I’ll buy it then” or “Now please put it back on the shelf, Mr. Steinman, or I’ll call the police.”  But I realize you Meat Loaf fans out there (the four of you with the Dead Ringer T-shirts) might be actually disappointed to learn that Explode is Loaf-less, so I just figured I’d get that out of the way up front.  Okay then, let’s move on…

Instead of Richard Wagner-influenced progressive rock, Mahwah’s Popcorn Blizzard give you a fantastic sunshine pop album that’s just as fun and colorful as the cover.  Highlighted by the beautiful Procol Harum meets Curt Boettcher Fading Yellow popsike gem “Looking Glass,” with its quivery wah wah licks and perfect lilting soft pop melody.  And the catchy strumming summertime Bugaloos-on-Prozac pop of “Good Good Day,” all sunny harmonies and ringing bells and a damn-near-impossible sense of soaring happiness, like the kind of glee you probably felt immediately after hearing that Meat Loaf wasn’t on this album.  It was a good good day for me anyway.

“I Just Saw A Face” is NOT a Beatles cover, but it certainly sounds like one.  Here the Blizzard do a perfect carbon copy of the 1965 Fab Four beat pop sound, and then slightly tweak the title of a real Beatles song, sending Capitol’s lawyers in a frenzy to their copyright law books.  No truth to the rumor that some unreleased Popcorn Blizzard songs included “I’ve Seen Her Standing There,” “She’s Left Home” and “Everybody’s Hiding Something (With the Exception of My Monkey and Me).” 

So unless you’ve got a burning desire to hear the beat pop prequel to Bat Out of Hell, this is the best possible Popcorn Blizzard for your buck.  Superb sunshine pop with catchy melodies, great Beach Boys/Turtles harmonies, and nary a 12-minute Jim Steinman epic to be found.  As a great poet once said, two out of three ain’t bad.

 CLICK ON THE ICONS BELOW TO HEAR SOUND CLIPS FROM THE ACTUAL RECORD YOU'RE BIDDING ON.  PLEASE BE PATIENT - LOADING TIMES VARY.

The less exciting stuff

Media mail shipping with delivery confirmation starts at $5.00 in the US, with each additional record only $1 additional shipping.  Air mail shipping to Canada starts at $10 US, each additional record $2 shipping.  Air mail shipping everywhere else in the world starts at $16 US, with each additional record only $3 shipping.  I accept payments through Paypal, or you can send checks and money orders made out in US dollars.  Items paid by check are held 14 days for the check to clear.

I try to grade as best as I can, and I list as many blemishes/imperfections I can find (writing, ringwear, scuff marks, etc.) – Also, please note that I DO listen to these albums – I may not listen to every track, but my grades are based on LISTENING, not just looking at it, since chances are you’ll be listening to the record you buy, not just looking at it.  Most of the albums I sell are the ones I’ve enjoyed for years – and I treat my records with kid gloves.  But sounds speak louder than words, so check out the sound clips below – they’re from the actual record you’re bidding on. 

SHIPPING AND PACKAGING

Listen, I buy a bunch of records too (when I’m not getting outbid at the last second, which is more often than not) – and I know what it’s like to get a rare, one-of-a-kind album packaged dangerously in a flimsy bubblewrap package.  I hate that too.  So rest assured, I ALWAYS package albums with stiff cardboard reinforcements, same for 45s.  And yes, the records are removed from the sleeves (for albums).  I ship out once a week, every Friday, because I have a regular day job.  But I’d be willing to give that up if you’d all be so kind as to bid my items up to stupidly high amounts. 

And finally, I include delivery confirmation on all shipments inside the US.  This is my proof of shipment, and also helps us to track your package if it doesn’t arrive when it should.  I will email you within 2 days of shipment and give you the confirmation number at that time.  Insurance is always optional, but for larger orders, it’s highly recommended.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a cost-effective way of tracking parcels to foreign countries yet, and shipping times vary depending on your country’s postal system.  Italy in particular seems to be really bad at delivering packages quickly, or delivering packages at all, now that you mention it.  I will always email you when your package ships, but once it’s on its way, please don’t ask me when it will arrive because I don’t know.  If the world’s postal systems can ever agree on a universal tracking system that’s affordable, I’ll be the first to use it.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN…

I will always leave positive feedback for successful transactions, and would appreciate the same in return.  All I ask of you is the following – please pay for your items within 14 days of the close of auction.  Compared to other sellers, that’s a generous amount of time, so if you don’t pay within 2 weeks, then I have to assume something’s wrong.  You’ll get an Ebay payment reminder at that point, and possibly a decapitated horse head in your bed.  If, after 30 days, you still haven’t forked up the cash, I’ll relist the item and yell at you if I ever see you in town.