Green Crystal Ties, Volume 5: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults is the fifth installment in the Green Crystal Ties series of psychedelic and garage rock compilations issued by Collectables Records.[1][2][3][4] It was released on April 7, 1998 and like volume 1 features songs by obscure bands who recorded in the 1960s.[1] The series is known for good quality mastering and sound quality.[1] Like all of the entries in the series, the highly colorful packaging is designed by Nicole Ruhl Fichera.[2] The inner sleeve includes well-researched liner notes written by Steve Kaplan and Matt Wendelken which provide helpful biographical information about the bands and their songs.[2]
The set begins with two songs by SJ & the Crossroads, "Funny Woman, followed by "London Girl" whose lyrics drool over a mini-skirted mod hipstress on a motorbike.[1][2] From there, the North Invasion Force chime-in with the twelve a string guitar on "Blue Light in the Window" and "I Won't Be Back," followed by the Outer Limits' "Walkin' Away" and "The Waves."[1][2] The set features two songs by the Nickel Bag: first an organ-fueled psychedelic mover, "The Woods," followed by the somber anti-Vietnam protest song, "It's a Hassle."[1][2]The Morning Dew from Topeka Kansas are represented also by two cuts on the album, first a hook-laden "Touch of Magic" followed by the screaming Twister party frenzy of "No More."[1][2] The Blue Things close out the set with "Waiting for Changes" and "Hollow."[1][2]
^ abcdefghKaplan, Steve; Wendelken, Matt (1998). Green Crystal Ties, Volume 5: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults. Narberth, PA: Collectables Records. - liner notes, packaging, design (Nicole Ruhl Fichera), photography, song list
