The Plimsouls’ trick was squeezing classic rock and blues influences into short, streamlined post-garage-rock power-pop. Whereas fellow ex-Nerve Paul Collins brought British Invasion influences into the heartland, style-wise, Plimsouls front-man Peter Case’s approach was soulful and, in that sense, anomalous – at least on the surface – among other groups in the late-70s pop flood, most of whom generally embraced a “whiter” and more studious (of the Beatles etc.) approach. The guitar hooks of Eddie Munoz could seamlessly jangle and mangle. “A Million Miles Away” is the group’s definitive and most famous song, soaring along with a Byrds attack worthy of Hitchcock. Analogs are the Easybeats and Flamin’ Groovies – bands that leaned toward unbridled exuberance; who embraced rootsier foundational artists like Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry; even Stax and Motown. Case, of course, went on to a solo career that erred on the side of Dylan and other folk-blues troubadours. The Plimsouls have been known to reunite for live shows now and then. In retrospect, the band holds up well, and are a case study in how to root pure power-pop maneuvers in blues and rock’n’roll. It stays fresh longer.

(Source: Jordan Oakes)