Various - Pop Volume 4
by Benjamin Howarth
published: 13 / 7 / 2004
Label:
Popnews
Format: CD
intro
Eclectic and compulsive fourth offering in the annual series of compilations from French music website, POPnews
POPnews can be relied upon to lead indie fans on the right path towards great unheard of music. This is their fourth compilation album, in a series where the French based website presents exclusive tracks from some of its favourite artists. Pennyblackmusic has long been an admirer of their knack for plucking out quality listens, and is happy to report that this is another triumph. In fact, I would go as far as to say this might be the highlight of the series. There is not enough room to detail every artist and every compilation, but I will say that they range from electronica to indiepop to lo-fi to alt country, and there is even room for some underground hip-hop. Most compilations can’t be listened to all the way through, but this I can. Of course, some tracks are better than others. That’s a given. But even the songs with weak melodies all have something in their favour, be it a good guitar line, or a quirky singing style or a good hook. There’s not one song that isn’t worth listening to. Some are already firm favourites, particularly McEnroe’s hip hop tour de force, 'Wandering Eye' and the National’s brilliant 'About Today'. If you are the sort of person that likes to read Pennyblackmusic then you are the sort of person the good folk at POPnews are aiming at too. This compilation, whilst probably harming your bank balance as you seek out the full length albums from these bands, is a great investment for your ears. Enjoy…
Track Listing:-
1 Trash Pop Music- Reflect2 Studio- Shake U Down By The River
3 Maarten- At A Copenhagen Theatre
4 Mcenroe- Wandering Eye
5 Fabio Viscogliosi- Cari Angeli Revisited
6 Barbara Manning & The Go-Luckys!- Dreaming
7 The Bitter Springs- Big Sweaty Dad
8 Ursula- Que El Caos Se Apiade De Ti
9 The National- About Today
10 The Temporary Thing- Jean-Paul Belmondo
11 Maison Neuve- Your Go-Between
12 Sundayer- Pebble Shore
13 The High Llamas- 2 Part Byke
14 Crashing Dreams- Uppercut
15 Sheraf- Luna Pitoli
16 Strand- Ladan Ladeh
17 Cavil And The Transpennine DT- Handing Down
18 The Portal- Jesus From The Block
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart