Labels: Bart
Review by: Oli Saunders
This tape compilation contains ten bands from different parts of southern Canada. Within the insert is a map showing the location of each band (and the label) within the country; a really nice touch. The most westerly band, Damages, lies just under 4000 miles away from the most easterly band, Minivalen. The rest are pretty spread out. This kind of thing is what makes compilations so great; a common theme that benefits both the bands and the listener. From the bands’ and label’s perspectives making a collective record together and from the listeners perspective being able to hear bands that you otherwise probably wouldn’t, even if you don’t actually like all of them. I’m now going to briefly review each song in turn, here goes.
Damages – Marked Sidewalks: I really like this band. If you have heard their recent 7”, which I reviewed on Collective, and enjoyed it then you should like this too. Nice grooving riffs with shouted and spoken vocals. Slow paced mid 90s emo / hardcore not too dissimilar from Brito and Shotmaker except a bit less harsh and noisy. Instead there are spoken vocals which are pretty great and make them a bit different.
Minivan Halen – Epic: From the opposite side of the country, Minivan Halen play some pretty straightforward but decent hardcore. Good groove, good screams, I like this a fair bit. Can’t think off the top of my head what to compare it to. I rate it, some elements of Give Up The Ghost maybe?
Place Hands – Army Song: A mix of male and female vocals here, again it’s quite straightforward hardcore but works well. They describe themselves as post hardcore, probably more accurate. Gets a bit melodic halfway through and the girl Heidi does a bit of singing. Decent stuff again.
GSTS! – Signed Sheets: The riffs are a bit more Slayer like in this band. Well, more complex anyway. I’m quite into it. Somewhat quirky hardcore with vocals slightly in the background.
Swwords – The Hit: This has got a definite Joy Division vibe to it, the vocals in particular remind me of ‘She’s Lost Control’, actually the drums and guitars too. There’s a keyboard in the mix, overall the instruments give a nice noisy indie mess. It’s got a cool lo-fi feel and whilst there’s not a great deal of variance throughout it doesn’t outstay its welcome.
Slates – Setting Sun: A slightly more traditional punk sing along song with some ‘wo oh oh ohs’ to join in with. Some rastafarian samples at times, it’s okay.
Special Noise – Fitness: Jangly indie two piece. Having trouble describing this – the guitar wanders about nicely and the vocals are decent.
dd/mm/yyyy – No Life: Things get a bit more quirky here. I guess I would refer to this as art rock. This track was recorded live but the quality is fine. Weird echoey vocals at times and other effects. Not really my thing but it’s not bad.
Whiskey Priest – All For One: More shouty indie, I really don’t know much about indie so again I’m having trouble comparing this to anything. The main vocals are kind of sung and are quite interesting, there are then some backing shouted vocals. It’s pretty good overall.
Gift Eaters – Baal: Last band, I think these guys are doing a split with Damages in the near future. I’m sure I didn’t like them when I heard them before but this song is decent. Maybe I am just in a good mood right now or something. It starts slow before turning into messy hardcore that’s all over the place. Good stuff though.
Overall, I like this a lot more than I thought I would to be honest and I’ll definitely play it now and again – might well investigate one or two of the bands that I rated and hadn’t heard before. Even if you can’t get a copy perhaps check some of them out!
30th November 2009