Various - FatCat Sampler 2007
[FatCat]

Like Harvest Records or Joe Boyd’s Witchseason imprint, FatCat Records is destined to be talked about in the same hushed tones in the future (they even have Boyd’s old folk protégé Vashti Bunyan on their books these days). A glance at their demo policy shows FatCat to be a label who actually cares. It is run by music lovers for music lovers. Over the years they have independently promoted, out-of their roster, demo submissions that has seen recognizable names such as Zelienople, Svalastog, Inch-Time and Soundhacker pass through their doors.

It is such a vibrant attitude that has given FatCat the platform to build such an eclectic and exciting label. They even promise to listen and reply to all demo submissions. This sampler, though, represents the FatCat class of 2007 and features a healthy proportion of Grade A students; some coming from where you would least expect it. It should be noted that a number of these acts came to prominence through FatCat’s refreshing approach to accepting demos.

Immediate standout’s come from both Songs Of Green Pheasant and Our Brother The Native. The former sees Duncan Sumpner ditch his lo-fi, 4-track recordings in favour of a much grander vision. And the results are spectacular; “West Coast Profiling” (taken from forthcoming release “Gyllyng Street) features an epic melody that soars skywards, propelled by lush, shimmering guitars.

Our Brother The Native offer something just that little bit different. If 2006’s “Tooth And Claw" (read our review) was a unique, if a little fragmented album, then OBTN have hit pay-dirt with “We Are The Living”. Channeling their experimental tendencies into a colourful psych-pop explosion, this impossibly young trio’s naïve child-like charm brings a nostalgic feel of Winter to mind. They evoke images of snow-capped hills, reindeer, sleigh bells and everything that is wonderful about the festive season.

Seattle quartet Welcome’s origins date back to 1993 and if their name is unimaginative, their music is anything but. Angular, jagged guitars provide the template as the kaleidoscopic vocal harmonies drag “All Set” into a Syd Barrett meets The Stooges love-fest.

Charlottefield, on the other and, represent a different side to FatCat. This young British band blast through one and a half minutes of vitriolic noise during “Firewood”. Their Jesus Lizard inspired sound is abrasive, loud and in your face. They even have a frontman that could rival David Yow for manic charisma.

Earlier this year Scots, The Twilight Sad, fast-tracked past standard local routes, to unanimous acclaim on the other side of the Atlantic. It’s not hard to see why with “And She Would Darken The Memory”. The Sad’s searing indie and Scottish romanticism is perfect for the US market.

Fellow Glaswegians, Frightened Rabbit, may have a fight on their hands to match The Twilight Sad’s global success, though. Their sound is more subdued, but is distinguished by a similar thick Scottish brogue. Their emotive folk stylings have already seen them perform at SXSW this year, proving that they are, at least, on the right track.

Elsewhere on this disc, new material from FatCat ‘heavyweights’ Mum, Crescent and Mice Parade sit side by side with demo versions from more recent signees Tom Brosseau and The Rank Deluxe. Overall, this sampler suggests that this class is one of the brightest in FatCat’s history. There’s going to be one hell of a graduation party.

Track Listing:

Vetiver - Idle Ties
Tom Brosseau - Committed To Memory (Demo)
Songs Of Green Pheasant - West Coast Profiling (Edit)
Vashti Bunyan - I'd Like To Walk Around In Your Mind
Mum - Blessed Brambles
Mice Parade - The Last Ten Homes
David Karsten Daniels - American Pastime
Amandine - Secrets
Charlottefield - Firewood
The Rank Deluxe - They Don't Matter (Demo)
No Age - Neck Escaper
Welcome - All Set
Silje Nes - Ames Room
Frightened Rabbit - The Modern Leper
Nina Nastasia And Jim White - Late Night
The Twilight Sad - And She Would Darken The Memory
Our Brother The Native - We Are The Living
Crescent - Cup