|
Various
Artists
"We're Twins Records 2003 Sampler" CDR
We're
Twins Records
Genres: lo-fi, diy, experimental pop
We're Twins
PO Box 427
Greenpoint Station
Brooklyn, NY
11222-0427
Aug 11 - 17 2003 |
First
off, the We're Twins sampler does not cost money. You go to the We're
Twins website, and there you can either download its entirety on
mp3 or e-mail them asking to be sent a copy. You can't lose on this
deal!
Now, onto the compilation itself. Aesthetically, this is a very DIY
affair. The sampler is a CDR packaged inside cardboard with paper
glued to it. It's a minimal, yet oddly compelling package. The music
shares this lo-fi appreciation. The songs are home recorded, tape fuzz
and all, and typically rely on simple instrumentation and vocals.
The most notable tracks here fall under the lo-fi and anti-folk
banners, although there's also plenty of electronic tomfoolery and
blatant goofiness to go around. The entire disc starts with an And
Spiders track, "The Lonesome Fugitive," that sounds like
country-folk filtered through a really old four-track. It's a delicous
slice of lo-fi wizardry; the drum machine takes care of percussion
duties, but sounds significantly less shoddy than usual. Melting
Moments then treats us to a less poppy Deerhoof-esque tune.
Strikeforce: Euler produces moody electro that is more melodic
than most homemade electronica outings. And then a band by the name of
The New Sound of My Bossa Nova (an Os Mutantes
reference?) plays a beautiful pop tune called "Way Too
Fast"; its delicate melody is wonderfully pillowed by a guitar
and casio backing. While the recording quality is low, and the melody
is perhaps a bit too simple, it somehow shines as a very infectious
and touching tune. It alone is worth the price of admission. Yet it's
free!
But those were only the first four tunes. Believe it or not, there
are 27 tracks on this disc, plus 2 hidden tunes. And many of
them are real gems. The Rants' moody minor-key "Off
Axis June" will make you want to go out and give their recent
album a spin. Ice Cream Socialists UK's "History" is
a hushed, infectiously endearing tune. K. Linden's "Chris
Tusciuk", meanwhile, is a starkly moving piece of experimental
electronic music that sounds as if it could be the score for a really
dark film. I also enjoy the more jokey songs here, including Chicken/Mechanic's
"Fight Song!" (a duel between a girl shouting
"chicken!" and a guy shouting "mechanic!"), Dawgz'
mysteriously confused "Cover" of "Heart and Soul",
and the Dope-Assed Booty Dominataz' mockery of rap music,
"Oh My God (Issa Booty in my Face)".
And all that isn't even the least of it. If you're up for new and
different music, get this sampler. You have no excuse.
86%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 27 tracks + 1 hidden, distributed by the
label, released 2003] |
