The Bats’ earliest EPs set the tone for their continuing, wonderful career, the quartet of Robert Scott, Kaye Woodward, Malcolm Grant and Paul Kean showing from the start that they simply had the goods when it came to warm indie rock energy with a feeling that was conversational and comfortable. Compiletely Bats brought the first three EPs together in 1987 – a later 2014 edition added their fourth EP, also released in 1987 – as a bonus, and from the opening “Made Up In Blue,” Scott’s winning singing and the band’s bright performance makes for a simply enchanting listen.

– Ned Raggett