This album is actually a compilation of previously unreleased tracks and their singles. What it shows to me, is a band that unfortunately got behind and forgotten due the succes of several other bands, including The Smiths which who they share a similar 'jangle' sound. People who loved this kind of music, often turned towards The Smiths and people who hated The Smiths turned away from the genre completely. Personally, I can see the tragedy in that, especially since the songs on 'Never California' are great.
Some of them are even more than great. Opener 'Hold On' reminds me a lot of The Cure, a band that I've come to admire. 'Untouchable' has a stunning shoegaze feel to it and ' All Blown Over (The Recall)' once again shows a darker, immersive sound. 'Harped On' seems to dig into old English folk, bringing back images of The Dexy's Midnight Runners' in an episode of The Young Ones. Coincidental, I started watching those series again only a couple of days ago.
What this album shows mostly, is the musical testament of a band that faded away too soon. So in a way it's nice to dig these things up once in a while and see who inspired so many bands these days. In that aspect, I can truly recommend this album to fans of the new wave of indie rock and of course to those people who are nostalgic for those days.
Serge