COMPILATION CD PROJECT (11-track compilation/ 2002)
Some chart-friendly compilation CDs are good, some are bad - most, face it, are a complete waste of time and money! Compilation CDs, on the other foot, that focus and promote bands otherwise festering in the underbelly of the industry are usually admirable and damn fine attempts. Just like this cool featurette�
This CD was a funded project, and the CD itself was produced, recorded and mastered by the new drummer of metal titans PSP, one multi-talented Jason Sanderson.
On with the music, it's a Godsend to hear a variety of music herein. The old 'they come in 3's' adage kinda holds true, as there are 3 pop-punk tracks (one a piece from Voice Of Brain, Muffin and Kanvas), there are 3 much mellower acoustic-based tracks from solo artist Richard Kitson (who sounds like a less gruff Levellers frontman), Laconic (who are self-pitying but damn fine and lush with it) and Northern Lights - whose 'Blackpool Rock' song is one of the most upbeat songs all round and probably my fave.
My fave, that is, were it not for the inclusion of a certain song called 'Pots For Rags,' shagged out by a certain band called Purple *fucking* Sticky Punch!!! Bands Produkt and the mighty D-Rail also drill out hardcore, metal-mashed songs, with Produkt reminding of System of A Down and D-Rail of complex sludge-meisters The Dillinger Escape Plan.
PSP, though, are the masters of this genre of music� and 'Pots For Rags' that here ends this compilation effort on a high-octane high is another epic masterstroke of magnificent post-metal grace. PSP are as hard as they come, and yet some of their melodies are astonishingly poignant. Boy can they be loud when the prevailing emotion necessitates, but boy do frontman Ryan and guys have hearts - and man do they show it. (STEVE RUDD)
NB, All of the bands and artists are from the Dearne Valley and surrounding jurisdiction, and Jason is hopefully forwarding the contact details for the bands involved so look out for those elsewhere - & hopefully full demo reviews of some of the bands�