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VARIOUS MESSTHETICS #105
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This is a surprisingly worthwhile US import representing a wide range of — as the subtitle suggests - Scottish DIY and (very) indie post-punk from 1977- 1981. There are 24 tracks (in 69 glorious minutes) to wade through and reminisce, particularly if you witnessed the joys of the Scottish new wave scene at the time, or indeed part of the toilet circuit brigade of bands that littered our streets around three decades ago. It just seems like yesterday that the subsequent ‘Sound of Young Scotland’ were about to make it big. In truth, not many of them did but the movement still provided plenty of
interesting efforts.
The most prominent name here is undoubtedly Edinburgh‘s Fire Engines (represented here by ‘New Thing in Cartons’ from their jangling debut recording session), who were on the fringes of success at the turn of the 805 before their implosion. Davy Henderson and co also pop up as The Dirty Reds, although ‘Bad Sex’ should carry a parental warning for its Fall-meets- foul-mouth banter. Indeed, echoes of Mark E Smith are everywhere, stemming mainly from Aberdeen‘s He’s Dead Jim and Stirling’s Vertical Smile. the latter’s 'The New Clash Single' oozing class if not much Clash. The capital’s Metropak kept the art school rock movement intact via “You’re a Rebel’ and “Here’s Looking at You’, two songs that proved young Scotland
had variety.
The Glasgow scene finds its feet via one-time Postcard act The Jazzateers (albeit, pre-Paul Quinn), who offer up ‘Blue Moon Over Hawaii’, while the Joy Division-esque Radio Ghosts (this time with crooner Quinn at the helm) are afforded two creditable cuts.
From the depths of Easterhouse and Bishopbriggs respectively, come Restricted Code and early power-poppers The Exile, while Hamilton’s Article 58 (featuring future Creeping Bent label owner, Douglas Maclntyre and Clare Grogan hubby-to-be Stephen Lironi) shine courtesy of ‘Event to Come'.
Of the other highlights, there’s punk-pop-poet Paul Reekie, and who can forget the Spizz-like Scrotum Poles from Dundee. Top marks for the ballsy American Indie-an, moniker. (Martin C Strong)
ROCK COUNTING GROWS
Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings (Pohtlorl COO.
After hitting an impasse after therr insaneh popular but t‘rt‘atneh redundant tumor of Joni Mitchell's “Big Y?ll0\‘. Taxr’, rt looked like Counting Crows were on a one-WM trip to r'orn-Corn somrdtrackyrlle. FQr thrs. their fifth r‘eCOr'd.
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theyye turned it ar'oul‘tt anti enie'geu energrsett. unit“ a t‘.'.'c» dart concept album about the aforementioned weekend chicanery
l‘rorrr the furious; crash of opener 't-1:)'.:" to the delicate balladeerrno of '\.\r’ashrngtor‘ Square". the haer illustrate fhezr «lyrrarrtra: rar‘ae t"
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GUILTY SIMPSON
Ode to The Ghetto
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Starrrlouts; inclurle 'l network. a lieety (lark :mrth lerl cut. lririkrrlg; to the crtx'f; corners trir lyrical irisprr'ation ‘.‘./llll(,‘ the trtle track it; a catchy. raw groove capturing strong; VISIONS; ()l Srrrrpsson's surrounrlrrrgs, It's not all (lark street lllllf3l(;_ ‘.‘/rth (Ltllti like 'Krnrla l we provrtlrnt; balance. a soulful H828 soaked offering of cl; sf; prrirluctron. rrrakrnt) clear he's no one trick pony. rSteve Glen/town
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lllJtu‘b‘lt l’ BENGA
Diary of an Afro Warrior
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Despite the llfif,‘ of (luhstep'f; profile recently you still have to srft arounrl to hurt the good stuff. One gold nugget if; Berti Uthrrian aka Berrga. the olrl skeol krrl on the block who. f>|lt(,(} age it). has; been showrrir; rnany how it's, done.
For thrs much anticipated album Uthrrrarr rr‘ioxe“, ar/a‘, frorr: farnrlrar dubstep manoeuvres. drawing influence from the likes of electro. Ja// and Detroit techno. The result rs a softer, more SOUltUl ()rOdllCthlt. showrng a desire to innovate over simple dancefloor acceptance. That said. he still delivers an album full of iz,:'.-.'-rlropprng basslrnes in true rurle bo,’ style. lt's not one for the purists but Diary. . . indicates crossover potential. and what else :s to Come from a ,Oubg and eXCitrng talent. 'Steve Glencrossr
2? Mar—’ '2 Apr 2008 THE LIST 71
ALSO RELEASED
Clinic 00 lt.’ Domino) It's nice to think that the cash made by Arctic Monkeys reCOrds goes into something positive for the world lrke Clinic albums. MOre slightly erratic. vibrating genius from a band who evoke the Spirit of The Residents and Soft Cell in one go.
2 Banks of 4 Junkyard Gods rSonar Ko/lectrvl Over-operatic spots from fOrmer Galliano vocalrst Valerie Etienne aSrde. this is an accomplished collection of mesmeric Jazz/soul that wrll appeal to fans of Cinematic Orchestra.
The Death Set Worldwrde (COunter) So the most dangerous band rn America right now who have been tearing up stages far and wrde SOund Irke a slightly less well produced Bis covering the Banana Splits? Ooh! Scary. The Brian Jonestown Massacre My Bloody Underground (a recordings) Here's another 13 reasons to worship the warped genius Anton Newcombe. The opening track entitled ‘Brrng Me the Head of Paul McCartney on Heather Mrlls' Wooden Peg'. Nice.
The UFO Out of the Wear/rouse (Popsom Records) A beguiling mix of psychedelic acrd trance and breakbeats with a bit of prog mysticism thrown in from this rising underground dance act from Edinburgh. Recommended. Umalall The Garifuma Women '3 Project (Cumbancha) A groundbreaking document gathering together ‘songs of joy, SOrrow. strength and beauty'. Real stories and songs from women of Africa that uncovers a whole other musical hinterland deserving of our attention.