Washington D.C. Garage Band Greats

The two D.C. groups featured on this compilation (one side each), the Apollos and the Mad Hatters, released only a few obscure singles; most of the tracks here were actually previously unissued. The Apollos were a very routine, if raucous, garage band of the era, although their "That's the Breaks" is highly esteemed by some garage specialists. An alternate version of that tune is here, along with a couple of songs from other singles, and four live covers in pretty abysmal fidelity. The Mad Hatters are somewhat more interesting, with a more pronounced juvenile Dylan-influenced folk-rock feel. By far the best cut is their roaring cover of Lulu's "I'll Come Running," which is actually among the very top echelon of garage band singles; nothing else the group did came close.