Various - POPvolume #3

  by Olga Sladeckova

published: 7 / 7 / 2002

---

Review

First established in 1997, the French webzine POPnews www.popnews.com is one of the best music sites on the web, producing regular quality interviews and reviews, and also each year putting out its own compilation CD. 2002 finds POPnews releasing its third album, which features artists from France, Spain, Brazil, Britain and America, and, spinning through a variety of styles, has something characteristic to everyone’s tastes. Utah Carol, Papas Fritas and Discover all produce catchy indie pop tunes with simple lyrics sung in a direct, natural style. Brazilis Pelv’ s play around with their bass in a creative and entertaining way, even though once the lyric reaches the chorus line of ‘Even if the sun goes down’, which is also their song’s title, things becomes a little repetitive . There is only one instrumental track ‘Anytime, Anyway’, which, performed by the Amor Belhom Duo, is based mainly around the bass guitar and drums, and which unfortunately quickly becomes monotonous. On the seventh track Lifestyle, on their song, ‘Doorway To Norway’ , sow together a lot of electronics in a tune that quickly gets rooted inside your head. The following ‘Soldiers Things’ by Big Eyes is sung in the French language and takes you back in time with its convincingly old-fashioned and cautious violin and guitar sound. My favourite track, however, is ‘Confession of a Clumsy Man’ by Baptiste from West London . London. Frontman Wayne Gooderham’s vocals are half suppressed under the blackness of life , and this is extended further by the deep and slow sound of Scott Brodie’s bass.  The oddest track on the album comes from Buck 65. Their ‘Track 8’, which is ironically seated in the 16th position, might remind you of Edwin Collins’ with its singing, but is done is a rap style, while its music drifts eclectically from one instrument onto another. It’ would be probably impossible to like the whole of this compilation as each of its 18 songs has its own definite character. The individualism of each track make it too spicy and perhaps too much to listen to in one continual listening, but what makes ‘POP Volume 3” stand out above other similar compilations is its quality, intelligence of approach and beauty.Like its two predecessors, this is definitely one to be sought out !

Track Listing:-

1 Utah Carol-Silver Space Rocket
2 Amor Belhom Duo-Anytime, Anyway
3 Papas Fritas-Love Just Don't Quit
4 Pelv's-Even if the Sun Goes Down (I'll Surf)
5 Klima-And Today's Just Like Tomorrow
6 Cathal Coughlan-Now Westlin Winds
7 Lifestyle-Doorway to Norway
8 Big Eyes-Soldier's Things
9 Tokyo/Overtones-Then
10 Matthieu Malon-Avant
11 Discover-King Sun
12 Temper-Newly Married
13 Renz-Two Friends
14 Baptiste-Confession of a Clumsy Man
15 Morning Star-Humming Song
16 Buck 65-Track 8(You Know the Science)
17 Farina (Don't Look Down)
18 John Cunningham-Happy-Go-Unlucky