Let’s see what the Scottish underground has to offer as this compilation claims to include the best of the bands that are part of it. Engaging breathless reviewing mode now…
First up is “Spatula Heaven” from PVH which turns out to be little more than a rather aimless pieces of metal plated meanderings lacking any of the strident lo-fi torment to be found in “Driving” from Eternal Fags. Rather more mature whilst being equally angular was Deathpodal’s “Every Superstition Shall Be Removed “that spiralled anguish into a serial killer’s bedsit.
Stylistic right turn time for the mellow folk flavoured ambient charms of Eagleowl with “Into The Fold”. In a similarly conventional way, The Douglas Firs keep it low key with “Grow Old And Go Home” although, in the right circumstances, this one might even be classed as danceable. As for “Mayday” from The Founding Wheel, those oddball affected male vocals will either rock your boat or cause you to start praying for a U-boat. More affected male vocals counterpointed with sweet female vocals are to be found in “J&J” from Jesus H Foxx that metamorphoses into something that suggests a simultaneous haunting by the spirits of The Talking Heads, Wire and Felt.
I once saw Noma clear a venue in ten minutes so I was somewhat surprised that the mournful melancholy of “Organ FKA Dreams Beginning With F “ was actually accessible to those of us on this stellar plane. One of the compilation’s high points next with “Noise Destroys” by Wounded Knee that took robotic rhythms to an almost devotional intensity with the end result being something of a modern day protest song. Detail showed class too, with their self titled song bringing to mind the glories of The Jazzateers.
Rather less invention was on show in “Conflict of Interest” by Citizens which only just managed rise above dull. Likewise, Vom’s “Lapping At The Taps” sounded like it had escaped from the soundtrack to some Xbox shoot ‘em up game and Battery Face’s “Lurch” never really went anywhere ‘twixt start and finish. ILiop’s “Punchbag Field” also disappointed as it proved to be little more than some clumsily assembled musical ramblings.
Thumbs up, however, for Conquering Animal Sound’s “Bear” for mixing minimalism with curiously obsessive female vocals that suggested torment at the very least and more likely a hidden knife and also for the discordant “Voices” from Public Spaces that was the only truly eclectic song here
As with all compilations, it is unlikely that you will like everything and, given the divergent styles, I suspect there was something of a mixtape mentality behind the track selection. Star turns were Conquering Animal sounds, Wounded Knee and Detail with Public Spaces creeping up behind them.