Boomkat 2005
28-12-2006
Compilations are often pretty difficult and simply play like random collections of tracks, sometimes the artists just seem to offer ‘offcuts’ or afterthoughts, odds and ends… hardly makes for good listening or good value does it? Those fine chaps over at Last Visible Dog came up with the ideal solution, to compile a compilation of EP length submissions from all the artists included. A mammoth task no doubt, and the whole thing plays across six cds of music. That’s right, six cds – most labels regard a double cd as a stretch, but oh no, not Last Visible Dog, they managed to source a 6 cd box (I seem to remember them being around at for cd-rom encyclopaedias a while back actually) and also plonked a nice little booklet inside to guide us through this epic journey. The list of collaborators is just as ambitious as the size of the project and the compilation features contributions from the wonderful Es (who has 3 pieces here which featured on the vinyl only ‘Sateenkaarisuudelma’ album on Kraak last year), Jewelled Antler operatives Loren Chasse (Thuja), Steven R. Smith (Hala Strana) and Stefano Pilia, Finnish master of ambience Keijo, British experimental chanteuse Fursaxa and Wire darlings Birchville Cat Motel among many many more. This is without any shadow of a doubt the most extensive compilation I have ever had the pleasure of listening through and works a perfect porthole into what many could consider an impenetrable genre. Anyone who is already familiar with the names will already be dripping with anticipation, and anyone who has an inkling of interest in wyrd folk/psych/noisey/improv sounds should check this out without delay. Absolutely stunning and probably worth investing in one of those horrible multi-cd autochangers for…
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Andrea Belfi
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