(16-track compilation CD, Feat. 8 musically-varied emergers - given half the chance - boasting 2 songs each)
Managed to blag this off The Relatives after their Antiproduct support @ York, and it�s basically a debut showcase from North Wales-based �Spank Records� - despite the wrongly-numbered �Six of The Best� title - for 8 up and coming bands, featuring the hard rock �n� roll zounds of The Relatives� �Indulgence� & �Marching On� demos� & so on, and so forth. People�s �Forever And A Day� has a strolling, Oasicised Cast No Shadow whiff to it, but like nit-ridden hair it grows on you and I love it, while Real Crazy Apartment�s �June 6th� builds on an Animals-Littered House Of The Rising Sun-scented vibe with angsty 35 Stock-dup vocals. Kosha�s �You�re Like Me, I�m Like You� could be paying tribute to Kelly Jones and his Stereophonics, while Lapel�s �Greek Song� could similarly be nodding and winking in Bruce Springsteen�s direction. Flood�s �Fooling Ourselves,� track 8, is the first time since The Relatives opened the CD that a wholesome rock-Goth hybrid�s left to gruesomely simmer, genres away from Ultra Magnus and their great voicings in �Lopakhin Something.� A remarkable compilation of contrasts, The Virge�s �Inside I�m Screaming� is a healthy head of Alt-rock compared to the People�s gorgeously mellow scenic route meandering through �Nowhere To Go.� If only more record companies would take the initiative and invest pinches of time and money in the future of tomorrow�s bright hopes� inside the CD�s sleeve there are full contact details for the 8 bands, whilst slipping the CD into your computer�s ROM drive will lead you to extensive background histories and biogs for each outfit. Thanks, �Spank�! (STEVE RUDD)
CONTACT �SPANK RECORDS�� @ www.spankrecords.com or [email protected]
And then a whole host of bands residing beneath their maternal umbrella�
THE RELATIVES� www.the-relatives.com PEOPLE� Tel. Pete: (07930) 307958 ULTRA MAGNUS� THE OLD MILL, MELIN Y WERN, NANNERCH, FLINTSHIRE, WALES. CH7 5RH. LAPEL� [email protected] or Tel: (01244) 678744 REAL CRAZY APARTMENT� 43 GLOUCESTER ST., NEWTOWN, CHESTER. CH1 3HR. KOSHA� Tel Peta: (01244) 810183 THE VIRGE� [email protected] or Tel: (01691) 772796 FLOOD� www.flood-music.co.uk or Tel. Pete: (01978) 756605