I was reading the latest edition of the Big Takeover at lunch and they had a review of an anthology of the Pointed Sticks released last year. The reviewer called them Vancouver's answer to the Undertones and the Buzzcocks. I went on allmusic and they described their sound as a combination of the Flaming Groovies, Squeeze and XTC and gave the anthology 4 1/2 stars (if memory serves). So are they this good? If so, why haven't you edumacated us on them (or why did I ignore it when you did)?

np: Millie Jackson "Caught Up"/"Still Caught Up"

I haven't pimped them 'cuz I'm not much of a fan. Back in their day I used to snidely refer to them as "Pointed Styx", because the songs always struck me as closer to bubblegum prog than punk, and plus the singer isn't far removed from Dennis DeYoung.

Saying they're Vancouver's answer to the Undertones is somewhat accurate, I guess, except that the Undertones were a million times better (and Vancouver's real answer to the Undertones was probably the Modernettes). Also, there is NO Flamin' Groovies, Squeeze, or XTC in their sound. Don't get me wrong, it's not horrible, but I've got the vinyl and the CD and still have never been able to find a reason to place a single song of their's on a mix - they're just not quite good enough. I totally understand why Stiff Records dumped 'em.