Various - Intact and Smiling: The Weird and Wonderful World of Tapete Records Vol. 1

  by Tommy Gunnarsson

published: 20 / 3 / 2023

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Review

The German indie label Tapete Records was founded back in 2002 by Gunther Buskies (who also runs the more kraut-oriented sub label Bureau B) and Dirk Darmstaedter (former member of The Jeremy Days), their first release being German band Besser’s second album ‘Bi’ that same year. And, since it was twenty years ago last year, Tapete thought that it was about time to celebrate this anniversary by releasing a two-disc compilation, inspired by iconic label compilations like ‘Shadow Factory’ (Sarah Records. And it’s undoubtedly a nice bunch of acts featured here. How about The Monochrome Set, Robert Forster (of the amazing The Go-Betweens), Comet Gain, The Clientele, Lloyd Cole, Stereo Total and The Jazz Butcher? There are also several contributors associated with iconic indie acts from the past, like The Catenary Wires (Heavenly/Talulah Gosh), Martin Carr (The Boo Radleys), Gary Olson (The Ladybug Transistor) and Davey Woodward (The Brilliant Corners). According to the press release, this first volume concentrates on the poppy and uplifting side of Tapete Records, which seems to be a good choice in these dark times. And poppy it is. The aforementioned Forster is as brilliant as ever (I can also recommend his brand-new album, ‘The Candle and the Flame’, also released on Tapete – brilliant stuff!), and The Clientele keeps doing their thing, which is something they do really really well, as we know. I have always enjoyed label compilations like this, especially from labels that you feel that you can trust (maybe not always, but most of the time) – songs that you know and like are mixed with new discoveries that might end up being your new favourites! So, if alternative pop is your thing, do yourself a favour and check this out. Maybe you’ll end up buying Robert Forster’s entire back catalogue. If you do, you can thank me later.

Track Listing:-

1 . We Are Muffy - Frosted Candy
2 Martin Carr - The Santa Fe Skyway
3 Jaguwar - Crystal
4 Stereo Total - Cinemascope
5 Simon Love - Joey Ramone
6 The Jazz Butcher - Running On Fumes
7 The Proper Ornaments - Echoes
8 The Monochrome Set - White Lightning
9 Botschaft - Sozialisiert in der BRD
10 Comet Gain - Mid 8Ts
11 Pete Astor - Water Tower
12 The Clientele - The Neighbour
13 Louis Philippe & The Night Mail - When London Burns
14 Bill Pritchard - Trentham
15 . Benjamin Dean Wilson - Sadie And The Fat Man
16 Robert Forster - I'm So Happy For You
17 Elva - Athens
18 Lloyd Cole - Writers Retreat!
19 Die Höchste Eisenbahn - Job
20 Gary Olson - Some Advice
21 The Catenary Wires - Sixteen Again
22 Friedrich Sunlight - Sag es erst morgen
23 Sophisticated Boom Boom - Number One In Radio
24 LAKE - Work With What You Got
25 Davey Woodward and the Winter Orphans - Dylan’s Poster
26 Der Englische Garten - Mitten in der Nacht
27 Carambolage - Johnny
28 John Howard & The Night Mail - Intact & Smiling

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