The Weatherbeat scene - 1998 - 1991 Various Artists (555 Recordings)
35 tracks from 1998 - 1991 from a scene that quite a few will be
unfamiliar with. Any questions about this scene are answered in a
wonderful booklet that comes with the CD. The booklet acts as a DIY
tour guide to a musical picturesque cd postcard.
The guide
informs us that the youth of the day recorded music on 8 tracks whilst
wearing paisley shirts. Other fashion items of the day included, bowl
haircuts, cheap guitars, Wedding Present albums and unrequited teenage
love. Oh, I'm yearning already.
Boyracer and Hood were two
bands that went on to critical acclaim and cult status from the
aforementioned scene. Here Boyracer already had the pop sensibilities
that would see them release consistently great records over a period of
many years. "My town" is the little loved up brother the
JAMC. The song swoons and spins twisting sugar coated melodies and
lyrics spouting unconditional gestures of love and you just can't help fall
in love with Boyracer. Hood's love of The Fall is never more apparent
than on tracks like "Absolute Grey Summer" and "Swan Finer." Both
tracks sound like Mark E Smith kicking the pub door open after they
refuse to serve him because he is too pissed to stay on his bar stool -
Wonderful. Hic.. As the album progresses, so does Hood's sound. I have
to admit that Hood have been one of my favourite bands for many years
and tracks like "Alfred Wainwright " remind of why I fell for them in
the first place. Who else would name a rural perfectly punkish pop song
after a fell walker?
Most of the bands will also be unfamiliar to
many -- mad names like The Paisley Springtime and Baby Doll Lounge.
Bands that you just know will have a love of jangly guitars and Twee
records. Luckily they do have these affections , as what was recorded
at this time was far from polished but that is the charm here. These
bands didn't have the worries of what to do in Pro Tools or how much
reverb to drench there songs in. All that was important was getting the
songs on tape and getting a gig or two. "It Was Nice Knowing You" has
BDL take you back to teenage years listening to John Peel and the
surprise that the girl you loved was not really loving you at all.
Years when your heart got broken and the only cure was a medicinal
tablet from Sarah Records and Doctor David Gedge (He even gets a
mention in one song). Ouch, I feel old now but I can pretend…
I
can honestly say that this piece of musical history will be in my top
albums at the end of this year. The whole ethos and sounds captured
here are the reasons that I got into "Indie" in the first place. Just
like the punk ethic before it, it was a case of, I know a few chords
and so do you, let's start a band. There is a tangible visceral
urgency in the songs. The feeling you get when you have a great idea
and just have to scream it out and these bands were lucky enough to be
able to record these emotions and pass it on to the listener.
You
also
need to have a sense of urgency, as I have heard that Norman Records
have already sold out this release. This doesn't surprise, as the whole
thing captures the scene perfectly. The booklet has a DIY feel, along
with the music, it's not over produced and I'm wondering if there will
be a paisley shirt revival? Ok the paisley shirt was a bad idea but
that's the only faux pas that can be found here, the rest is PERFECT.
Wish you were here!
9/10
555 Recordings
Boyracer Myspace
Hood Myspace
Reviewed by Nicky