CD review: TVT Records promotional sampler

[rikibeth]

I'm finally getting around to writing up my impressions of the various promo CDs I picked up at the Bamboozle back in May. Okay, I'm a little slow. Blame it on changing jobs and sleep schedules. Also blame it on the fact that the first time I thought about writing reviews, I loaded up the 5-disc changer and tried to make notes all through it, and wound up with ear fatigue -- everything started to sound alike and my notes devolved into "ew, shouty" and "not shouty, melodic, pretty good."

The TVT Records sampler is, far and away, my favorite of the batch. Ten tracks, of which I like nine. They are:

The Blue Van, Revelation of Love, from the album "The Art of Rolling"

-- Instrumentally, this reminds me of the Kinks, but with a more talented singer. Almost early Beatles, even. It's a very appealing tune in a British Invasion sort of way.

Tsar, Wanna Get Dead, from the album "Band, Girls, Money"

-- You can draw a direct line of descent from the Ramones to bands like Green Day and Blink-182 and this one. Fast and brash and bratty in a way that brings a smile to your face.

Towers of London, On A Noose, from the album "Blood, Sweat & Towers"

-- This is more the ranty sort of punk. It's not as catchy or instantly charming as the first two tracks, but it's OK

Ambulance Ltd., Stay Where You Are, from the album "LP"

-- A quieter track. I am not sure how to describe it in terms of genre or style, but it's not bad.

The Kicks, 12 Steps, from the album "Hello Hong Kong"

-- Retro-80s in the same vein as the Killers or the Kaiser Chiefs... I love it. I will not say my musical tastes froze solid in 1987 but they were pretty well set, and this pushes all the old buttons in the best way.

The Years, Let The People Tremble, no album given

Oh my. Going even further back, to old glam rock or the straight-ahead hard rock it built on. Bowie, 1972. T-Rex. Cream and Deep Purple. This one's fun.

Sevendust, Face to Face, from the album "Seasons"

-- This was the one band I'd vaguely heard of before. They get some airplay on the local hard rock station, WCCC. I suppose this is what's getting called "nu-metal?" There are a few interesting harmonic things happening in it, but it's entirely spoiled by the obnoxious shouty bits. Which seem to be a very popular device now. Bleah. No shouty for me.

Oliver Black, Where I Am, no album given

-- Female vocalist. My notes just say "good stuff."

Default, Cruel, from the album "Elocation" (acoustic version exclusive to sampler)

-- Maybe it's just because it's acoustic. but I swear it sounds like vintage Bad Company. It wouldn't surprise me at all to hear it segue into "Feel Like Making Love." This is not necessarily a bad thing. I'm just saying.

The Baldwin Brothers, Give 'Em A Hand, from the album "Return of the Golden Rhodes"

-- Classic funk. Really, no more description needed. Not what I expected to hear on this disc -- but a fine example of the style.

I haven't watched the music videos yet, that would mean taking the CD to the other computer, and mostly I listen to it at work.

Comments

[djinnthespazz.livejournal.com]

Wow. I didn't know anyone put together those compilations anymore. Cool.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Probably more now than they used to back in the days of vinyl, since CDs are so cheap. I came home from the Bamboozle with a STACK of the things, and a lot of them are worth listening to. So far they haven't made me go out and buy more music, but they've definitely made me keep an eye on the bands' touring schedules!