I was more than a little pleased in surfing through allmusic's best re-issues of 2008 to see that a Big Dipper anthology had been released. I was even more (than a little) pleased when I found the anthology on emusic. Though fairly short-lived, they were a fantastic Boston-based band who had one outstanding album and a few other really great songs. The album is "Heavens" from 1987, and it's among my favourite indy pop records of all time. On the anthology, "Heavens'" songs begin with "She's Fetching" and end with "Mr Woods". My favourite tracks are the two above, plus "All Going Out Together", "Easter Eve", and "Wet Weekend".

Whenever I think the eighties were a weak decade of music (and I do) I fall back on a few records to convince me otherwise, and this is right at the top of the list. Interesting historical note, I played a couple of tracks at our first CD club at Kyle's apartment all those years ago (ten? twelve?). Anyway, if you've got a few free downloads at the end of the month, give it a listen.