Various - Pop Vol 2

  by Benjamin Howarth

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

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Review

A compilation album can never realistically expect to be as important to music fans as a genuine album, but it can be a good resource for those who want to find new music. There are a few compilations that have won critical acclaim and can be put forward as important in the history of music. In the sixties the idea of label samplers emerged with the CBS compilation 'The Rock Machine Turns You On', and then others such as Island followed suit. In the eighties the C86 compilation introduced an entire style of music. This led to music magazines regularly giving away free CDs. In the nineties compilations became an essential part of dance music culture. This compilation sits somewhere between the C86 tape and a label sampler. In feel it is like a compilation tape from a knowledgable friend. POPnews is a French website magazine, and, in a similar way to this magazine, is dedicated to what its writers enjoy listening to (it was a Fanzine of the Month recently). Translations are often available and it is well worth a visit. Last year POPvolume#1 was put together by those at POPnews and at mini-album price was a huge success, selling out. I never heard it, but thankfully they have returned with an equally cheerfully priced second instalment. Its biggest draw is an unreleased track from Lambchop but aside from that most of the artists on it are relatively unknown. Unfortunately the Lambchop track is a disappointment. I loved ‘Nixon’ so I was eager to hear more, but it sounds like the outtake it is. Still, much applause to Lambchop for supporting a small project! By lending a rarity they should introduce many fans to other great music. The rest of the compilation comes from more obscure favourites of the POPnews staff. My vision of the French music scene (a vision that comes exclusively from the hinah.com and popnews.com websites – I’ve never had first hand experience) is of a bunch of enthusiasts unaffected by hype. This is probably far from the truth for most of France but POPvolume#2 adds to my romantic impression. It is a wonderful mix of alt-rock, alt-country, post-rock and indie-pop. A minor criticism must be given to its running order. Tracks 2-5 all verge on the experimental and it is tempting to skip to the more straightforward material. No complaints for the choice of songs, however. I like practically everything here, and any visitor to Pennyblackmusic is sure to find something worthwhile here! My personal favourites include Danish group Superheroes who provide a hummable pop tune not unlike fellow Scandinavians The Wannadies. French band Calc have contributed the haunting acoustic based ‘Brest#4’ – recorded exclusively for the site. Port Vale represent everything I love about American indie rock and can be recommended to fans of Sebadoh especially. The strongest song of all comes from Kilmarnock’s Trash Can Sinatras – a downbeat and rather intense number but one which has been performed with obvious enthusiasm and musical suss, and which is exclusive, again, to this compilation. I can’t offer any obvious comparisons but can only say that I love it. Other highlights come from the likes of Transbeauche who offer a unique brand of French electronica. There is delightful pop as well from‘Orwell who are again French, and two post-rock bands. L’altra are slow and intense but the jangly guitars and female vocals would appeal to most fans of groups such as The Aislers Set. The record ends with Astrid, not the Scottish pop group but a brilliant Godspeed influenced guitars/violins band from France. To top the whole thing off the sleeve art is great . I can’t wait for POPvolume#3.

Track Listing:-

1 Superheroes - Whats Going On
2 Transbeaunce - FMF
3 Elk City - Love's Like A Bomb
4 Flop - Un Homme De Gouts Simples
5 Pooka - Yes Lad
6 Lambchop - The Fade Away Jumper
7 Trash Can Sinatras - In Capitals
8 Mekon Galia - Extraordinaire Ressemblance
9 Calc - Brest 4
10 Emak Bakia - Samba Decejo
11 Port Vale - Hold The Towers Down
12 L'Altra - Colding Fields
13 Orwell - La Boutique Du Xxeme Siecle 2eme Partie
14 Melmac - Rolf
15 Migala - The Guilt (Rough Version)
16 John Home - Wrong Fur
17 17 Astrid - Carmencita