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Various
Artists - ...volume 2, in the city edition (Fat Northerner Records)
Described as "A collective of existing Manchester Music Industry
Management, Manchester based and A&R", joining forces in devoloring
a new online record label. This is a compilation based on the notion
that Manchester "no longer has a scene", put together by the
company's founders Dan Thomas, Ruth Daniels and Phil Styles.
Pioneers - Slow Down
The Pioneers are a 5 peice having met after graduating
from ex. Salford University. They are all described as 25-somethings
and describe their sound as "indie, but know as we know it".
T: Well this first track, to be frank, sounds like a less effective
version of Elbow at double speed....which is still pretty slow.
N: This group (Pioneers) do sound well produced, and able to slot into
the current roster of many a mainstream radio station. A number of years
ago, this may have been considered too alternative a sound to pamper
to the general public, but I generally feel today thatthis would gain
acceptance relatively easily. Although with all that said, it does lack
any feel of real substance. 6/10
Slims - Eyeball Man
In complete difference to the previous act, The Simms
sound is described as "mixing a grunged out, melodic repotoire
with massive wedges of guitar, veering between hard pop/rock and some
really intense moments". That said the group are a 3-piece hailing
from the depths of Manchester.
T: Onto the next track then, by Slims, who've obviously been overdosing
on a diet of Queens of the Stone Age lately...
N: Sounds more like Soundgarden to me, but the band seem far more concerned
in their adept ability in the handling of their fretboards than bothered
with maintaining the song's promising intro shown in the opening bars.
6/10
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Earl - Deeper
Earl have been described as possessing a sound of electro-dance with
a rock edge. They're a 4-piece, Ruth, Louise, Fiona and Ben, having
acheived top records status on XFM and are favourites with veterans
Terry Christian and Derek Ryder.
T: What do you have to say about this then? Personally I think it's
a bit different thanks to the swirly effects of the synths, and I think
Garbage must have been an influence here.
N: This band have managed to maintain that "untouched" feel
in their musical production, and as such would not make such an easy
transition to the mainstream. But I like that. The music possesses a
manic air, possibly down to the driven synthesizers used in their sound.
Garbage? Yes....but no - to resign this group to the trash would be
criminal. 8/10
Blue Avenger - Do The Right Thing
T: Next up it's Blue Avenger with "Do the Right Thing". I
doubt if they'd thank me too much for saying this, but musically it
puts me in mind of Jesus Jones...
N: One group amongst those featured here I'd certainly like to hear
more from. Bordering on the sound of hip hop, possibly suggested at
by the loose scratching used in this track, I can see where it is you're
coming from with your Jesus Jones reference, but it was Sly and Robbie's
"Boops" that I heard when first encountering this. Perhaps
we should agree to differ here - my mark would be an 8 bordering on
a 9...
T: And my mark would be 7 at the highest. There's no way this is better
than the Earl track, so as I'm in a generous mood, I'll let you have
your...8/10
Parma Violets - I See Double
T: This one's by Parma Violets, and it sounds like something that may
have hit number one in 1973. A very retro kinda thing, not unpleasant,
but neither is it particularly exciting.
N: I didn't necessarily hear such a "retro" reference, but
although musically this did contain great ability, being engaging wasn't
one of its strong points. 5/10
Overall...
N: We found this a very valid sampler of music coming out of Manchester.
If not to everyone's taste, acts were suitably diverse as to give at
least food for thought.
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