Various - Location Is Everything Volume 2

  by Benjamin Howarth

published: 12 / 4 / 2004

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When I think of a label sampler, I tend to think of a compilation that might introduce you to a few new bands that actually seem worth buying albums from, and also have a few more interesting tracks, and then a lot of stuff that doesn’t interest you. Either that, or they are a generic collection of bands that all sound similar to one another, some that are worth your time and others that are pale imitations. But some labels are able to forge out a powerful identity, get the cream of the crop in their respective genres and then maybe loosen up and find some even better bands and reach beyond their horizons a little. Jade Tree are definitely in this camp, and this compilation gives a good chance to introduce yourself to The album kicks off with the gritty hardcore of These Arms Are Snakes, and then has some throttling electro-rock courtesy of Cex, which really reminds me of Primal Scream’s 'Exterminator' album, then some more hardcore from the amazing Strike Anywhere. There is also the gorgeous folk-pop of Jonah Matranga’s Onelinedrawing, who were subject of a Pennyblackmusic interview a while back, and have a significant cult following on both sides of the Atlantic, and whose new record 'The Volunteers' has been going down very well. Other names of interest is the female fronted Denali, who for some reason I expected to be trippy and ambient, but actually play aggressive, garage rock, and Statistics, the solo project of Desaparecidos guitarist Denver Dalley, whose debut album is quite impressive. I was also blown away by the combination of deep, yearning vocals, jangly guitars and keyboards that made up Joan Of Arc’s excellent “Dead Together”. But my favourite track comes from a band I’d didn’t know at all, the beautiful 'The Greatest Thing' from Ester Drang, coming off like a countrified space rock band, with vague similarities to early Radiohead. For people who already follow Jade Tree there are also some bonus rarities, which make this well worth purchasing. There is a new song from Statistics and also from Cex, there are live tracks from From Ashes Rise and Paint It Black, both of which capture the furious energy of a live hardcore show. Although the main sampler features nothing from what is probably Jade Tree’s best band, Pedro The Lion, you do get a demo version of 'I Do' and also a brilliant, sensitive rendition from Onelinedrawing of 'Rapture', which first appeared on Pedro the Lion’s classic “Control” album, and is probably worth the cover price alone. Jade Tree are probably not as well known in the UK as they should be, but they have a number of bands on their roster that would improve any record collection, and this is an excellent opportunity to get yourself acquainted with them.

Track Listing:-

1 These Arms Are Snakes– Riding The Grape Dragon
2 Cex– Kill Me
3 Strike Anywhere– Infrared
4 Statistics– Hours Seemed Like Days
5 Paint It Black– Womb Envy
6 Denali– Hold Your Breath
7 From Ashes Rise– Reaction
8 Onelinedrawing– We Had A Deal
9 Challenger– Input The Output
10 Ester Drang– The Greatest Thing
11 Kid Dynamite– Heart A Tact
12 Fury – Resurrection
13 Joan Of Arc– Dead Together
14 Milemarker– The Banner To The Sick
15 Jets To Brazil– You're The One I Want
16 From Ashes Rise– Bloodlust (Live)
17 Cex– Cut Wrists
18 Pedro The Lion– I Do (Demo Version)
19 Paint It Black– The Pharmacist (Live)
20 Statistics– Another Space Song
21 Onelinedrawing– Rapture

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Adam Coxon
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Benjamin Howarth
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