Seven Inches of Joy #5 - Another Sunny Day

Another Sunny Day - You Should All Be Murdered [Sarah Records 1989] - Cat# SARAH22

I've always had a soft spot for Sarah Records, but then I've always rooted for the underdog. Right from the start they seemed to get tarred (incorrectly I'd say) by the music press with the twee brush, and were subsequently never really able to get out from under that. They had a fiercely loyal following, but unlike Creation, 4AD, Factory, Heavenly, Rough Trade or any of the other big Indies of the day, they never managed to make that transition to the 'proper' charts. It's a shame since I'd say about 70% of what they released was some of the best music around back then. It's just that not all that many people got to hear it. Consequently bands like The Orchids, The Field Mice, Blueboy (no not the Remember Me one) and Another Sunny Day never really got the audience they deserved.

Another Sunny Day is Harvey Williams, who also played in both The Field Mice and Blueboy. He's a bit of a top boy all said. You Should All Be Murdered is one of his greatest moments and his third single for Sarah (if you include his flexi single - which I do). It's an angry (for Sarah) slice of vinyl where Harvey lists all the people that should be removed from the planet. Obviously it's all a bit tongue in cheek, or at least I like to think so. The lyrics are a long ranting list of all the types of people that have let Mr. Williams down over the years, set to a Smithsy jangle that turns into a bit of a Wedding Present thrash towards the end. And very nice it is too.

Time has been kind to Sarah and those lucky enough to have released anything on the label. Something I don't see diminishing anytime soon, after all record collectors seem to love nothing more than unearthing gems that passed previous generations by. Surely Rhino are putting together a lavish box set as you read this. Well perhaps not.

Those early Sarah 7's are the quintessential Indie singles of the day too, coming housed not only in a wraparound sleeve (in a plastic bag of course), but also with an array of inserts. This one comes with part of a poster that could only be completed by buying the next twenty or so releases.

You won't be able to find this for pennies, but sometimes the good things in life cost a little. So treat yourself and splash out on a copy.