Various Artists - Make Mine Music MMM050
The current financial climate takes no prisoners. The number of defunct record labels serve as a testament to this fact. Indie labels have to press limited amounts of Compact Discs, as people file share and download to unfathomable levels, leaving bands unable to tour or buy new equipment. This shift ripples at every level of the music industry. Make Mine Music started with a truly revolutionary idea - a label that the bands put money into and reap 100% of any financial gains. There are no corporate suits waiting for their pockets to be lined and no over budgeting by power hungry marketing staff. No, just good old fashioned hard work and honesty paying off.
MMM is now putting out its 50th release, and for six years in the business that achievement is a sign that independent labels can still be a success. MMM050 brings together some of the label’s 20 artists that have released material over the last six years. The release includes songs by Portal and Yellow 6, two of the bands that started the label (Scott Sinfield and Jon Attwood). Also, Epic45, arguably the label's success story, rose to critical acclaim after 2007’s May Your Heart Be The Map, who went on to playing gigs as far of as Japan add a excellent new track to the mix.
A new addition to the MMM stable is Piano Magic (see interview section), who add a massive dose of clout to the MMM umbrella. Among others, John Peel favourites Avrocar sit next to more unfamiliar names like Innerise and Calder but highlight the amazing mix of bands and sounds that are coming from this hugely important Indie collective.
Here is a brief run-down of our favourite tracks:
Millimetrik - Ignacio Ramonet et le Metronidazole
A great album opener. Crunchy beats, fast tempo, then slips into desolate ambient introspection. A fast paced ride that splashes a thousand images into the sky.
Portal - Prana (Slow Burner)
I have been a fan of this band for as long as I care to remember but this reminds me why I fell in love when I hear each new song. Like Broadcast on a blissful tranquil sea of emotions.
Epic45 - In All The Empty Houses
This new 45 track is a mix between the bands Drakelow EP and May Your Heart Be The Map LP. Lush electronics, heart wrenching guitar chimes, and deep bass throbs - a lullaby for reminiscence, perfect for walking down country lanes and through fields.
Piano Magic - Western Gothic
What a start for PM on this label! Western Gothic drips from the speakers sounding like New Order, Disco Inferno and The Cure. An instrumental journey through a nightmarish city.
Yellow6 - Day In Pripyat
Well, what can I say that I haven’t already? Nothing.
Sit back, dim the lights, close your eyes and it all makes sense.
At £5.99, you get a lot for your money and you also get the added satisfaction that the money goes to the most important people - the bands themselves. 16 tracks of Ambience, Electronics and Indietronica - what more do you want?
Buy it now!
9/10
Available from www.makeminemusic.co.uk