Various - Unlaut (A Thirty Track Unlabel Compilation)
[Unlabel]

Now this is what I am talking about, 30 tracks spread over two discs and spanning several genres, while remaining true to the spirit and ethos of revered DJ, John Peel. Just like Peel’s show, Unlabel’s annual compilation features a host of music that mixes the good, the bad and the ugly with the downright brilliant. With so many tracks on offer, it really couldn’t be any other way.

At the risk of exceeding Mr. Angry Ape’s bandwidth, let’s focus on the ‘downright brilliant’, which are far from the minority in this 2 disc set. People’s Choir of Berlin aren’t German, nor are they a choir, instead “Harbour” is a superb mix of dusty acoustic guitar, haunting atmospherics and hazy vocals. Kyote are no longer with us, having disbanded not so long ago, which is a real shame given the brilliance of “Roman Candles”. It reminds us that Sonic Youth were once this potent.

Honey Ride Me a Goat wins the best band name prize hands down, but their exciting Zappa meets Dillinger Escape Plan sound deserves accolades too. Artists that strive to be different are always welcome round these parts and Tom Williams’ “Fuck It, I’m Doing Spoken Word” certainly fits the bill. A rant about everything and anything, imagine The Streets without any of that Hip-hop / R’n B-lite nonsense and you’re only getting half the picture.

Black Black’s “A Song 2 Die 2” initially suffers from a stuttering start; the vocals also are far too close too Bowie for my liking, but the huge sheets of vibrant guitar helps the track blossom over its six minute duration into something quite wonderful. Elsewhere, Die Munch Machine’s Death in Vegas / Part Chimp hybrid is worth a few minutes of your time, Low Point favourites Last of the Real Hardmen turn in a stellar performance with “The Great Kenwood Road Drum-Off” and Sandy Finlayson’s kaleidoscopic electro reminds of Julian Fane, while pressing all the right melodic buttons.

As ever with compilations it’s all about personal preference, but rest assured there is something for everyone on “ünlaut...” Great tracklist and great price, these discs offer a unique snapshot into one of the UK’s best labels.

Disc 1 Track Listing:

Lakes - 'Capt. Fidanza'.
Joeyfat - 'Meal Moth'.
Death of London - 'Ex Heavyweight Champion of the World'.
Klaus Says Buy The Record - 'Linen Cloth'.
Hunter's Loaf - 'Red Adare'.
Honey Ride Me A Goat - 'Varicose Jibs'.
Sandy Finlayson - 'Until'.
Chain Street (& 4th) - 'Pictures and Words'.
The Durells - 'The Anti Durell'.
Pellethead - 'Food Giant'.
Collides In Arc - 'Whispering Is An Overture'.
Box - 'Terry'.
Headquarters - 'Shit Got Instrumental Demo Blue Tongue'.
Kevin Tomkins - 'Violin Loops Retard'.
Black Black - 'A Song 2 Die 2'.

Disc 2 Track Listing:

Kyote - 'Roman Candles (D. Bateman Mix)'.
October All Over - 'Nightwatchman'.
Cove - 'Autumn Leaves'.
Tom Williams - 'Fuck It I'm Doing Spoken Word'.
Die Munch Machine - 'Diekruntmaschine'.
Pipecleaner - 'Stab Vest'.
Jet Johnson - 'Håvard Hedde'.
Elks - 'What Hit The Ceiling?'.
Belt Motel vs. El Fin - 'Strike Gently Away From Children (Round 1)'.
Zettasaur - 'Stegasaurus'.
Matra - 'Lights Low'.
Deadboy Racer - 'Champion Theme'.
The People's Choir of Berlin - 'Harbour'.
Last of the Real Hardmen - 'The Great Kentwood Road Drum-Off'.
I, Coelacanth - 'Untourage'.