V/A--News of The World
Howitzer 2002
A good sampler style compilation is usually difficult to pull off. For one, the nature of such comps relies heavily on previously released material with only a few exclusive tracks to give it a sense of being essential. Maybe more importantly, overall track selection is typically poorly thought out, creating an awkward or even non-flow to the music. This Howitzer Records News Of The World comp stands as a welcome exception to these pitfalls. The songs from the bands you know are great as always, the ones from the bands you don't know make you want to explore them further, and everything meshes together seamlessly.
News Of The World is a nice collection of modern garage, pop, mod, and soul. Overall, things are a little more pop and garage leaning on here. This said, the mod and soul aspects are well represented. The mod sound is covered by the always great Insomniacs and their tune "That's Alright," as well as by the Jam-inspired stylings of The Odd Numbers on their track "Almost Happy." The most traditional sounding soul cut, "Me, Myself & I" by The Inciters, stands as one of the highlights on News Of The World. This particular song features lead vocals which bear more than a passing resemblance to those of Elvis Costello.
In the end, as previously stated, pop and garage really steal the show on News Of The World. The standout pop cut comes from The Masticators in the form of "Radio Police." This song is power pop at its finest and sounds vintage yet fresh. The garage highlight is "Big City" by The Hotwires, featuring a sound somewhere between raw and jangly. However the best cut of all belongs to The Now Time Delegation with "Stand And Deliver." It's everything you'd hope for from those involved (including Lisa from the Bellrays, ex-Blacktop bassist Alex Cuervo, and legendary badass Tim Kerr)--like the MC5 being fronted by Ike-era Tina Turner.
News Of The World proves itself to be a successful compilation. Any band you aren't already familiar with is a band you'll want to hear more from. That's a percentage you just can't beat. If you are in fact familiar with most of the bands, News Of The World still remains a collection which stands in its own right as an entertaining, cohesive listen. Well done.
Score this CD directly from HOWITZER
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