The Wasted Years

(Ace of Hearts)
by J. Lianna Ness

With 23 songs and 13 artists, this remarkable collection from Boston-based Ace of Hearts Records (started in the late ’70s by producer Rick Harte, and still going) contains some terrific, previously unreleased recordings from now-defunct hometown heroes The Neighborhoods (vocalist David Minehan now performs with the Star Darts), Mission of Burma (guitarist Roger Miller currently performs solo, and drummer Peter Prescott sings and strums for Kustomized), the Del Fuegos (Juliana Hatfield’s “first all-ages show”), and Steve Cataldo (formerly of the Nervous Eaters, who also have two songs included on this disc). These are combined with tracks from old Boston fave raves the Wild Stares and The Lyres; and Ace of Hearts’ present-day acts Tomato Monkey, Crab Daddy, Chaotic Past, and Martin Paul (the latter two are signed to AOH’s subsidiary label, Atonement). Being the nostalgic old scenester I am, listening to The Wasted Years brought back many warm, happy, and fuzzy memories. Much applause goes to Rick Harte for putting out some of his best work ever. Now if only Mission of Burma would do a reunion tour, my life would be complete.