“Record Label Shmecord Label” is a new compilation of tracks featuring bands signed to the label “Big Scary Monsters” which is fast becoming the label where the next big thing may just appear from. It features ten tracks form the labels favourite son’s. Many of the tracks are unreleased, demo’s or forthcoming tracks so for the collector or completist it could be seen as essential if any one or more of the featured bands is one of your favourites.

The label has a blossoming family tree and has a packed schedule for the second half of 2007 which will see the debut release from “Meet Me In St Louis” as well as the sophomore record from “Jarius” and a split CD from “This Town Needs Guns” and “Cats And Cats And Cats”.

I’ve sat and listened to this compilation a lot recently and what struck me is the diversity of music on offer ranging from post-hardcore, jangly rock, acoustic simplicity and crazy funk/dance workouts. There really is something for everyone here and it shows the label has open ears and is looking at investing in music and not trends.

The album opens with “The Torso Has Been Severed At Mid Thorax” by “Meet Me In St Louis” which is from their forthcoming album “Variations On Swing”. Without doubt this song certainly swings in a maelstrom of indie/hardcore madness. It’s a song bristling with suppressed angst and attitude. Cool fat rock guitar riffs bounce of traditional indie picked patterns. It’s a cracking track and one gets the feeling that this a band who can rip it up in the live environment

Next up is “Lose Yourself” by “House Of Brothers” which features ex-The Murder Of Man, Andrew Jackson. This version is a demo of the track which will appear on the forthcoming EP “Deadman”. The title of this track is very apt as one really does find oneself being drawn into this song from the very start. A beautiful dancing acoustic motif is sprinkled throughout and the vocals are tender and emotional. This is indie style song writing done in a graceful and immediate fashion. Lets hope when the final version is recorded the band keep the gorgeous vibe that is going on within this track.

“Second Smile” provide us with “Smokestacks” a new demo of a previously unreleased track. This track builds perfectly and a zany but musical electric melodic pattern tempers jangly guitars and intelligent drumming. There is even a guitar solo with intervallic leaps that would raise a smile from guitar heroes like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. Towards the end of the track I was reminded a little bit of early Coldplay before they went stellar.

“Jarius” give us “Fallen Patricia” also a new demo and previously unreleased. Rhythmically its complex and I kept hearing the jarring tempo of YYZ by Rush (whom this band certainly are not). The band rock and are sort of a strange mixture of The Pixies and The Smiths. If the band are reading this they will probably thinking what a load of tosh, it’s just the vibes I get off the track really remind me of those bands.

“This Town Needs Guns” give us “I’ll Forget About You Throwing That Rock, Cos That Dance Was Pretty Funny” a previously unreleased track. This track is gentle and rather beautifull.The acoustic guitar parts are dazzling and one could be forgiven for thinking John Renbourne or Gordon Giltrap had joined this band. If you’re looking for music to wind down to or chill to this track will deliver.

“Cats And Cats And Cats” provide “The Hotel At The End Of Youth” taken from their album “”Sweet Drunk Everyone”. This track is a real treat on headphones as the instruments are mixed in a way that lets them bounce all around the stereo spectrum. It’s an intriguing track but it did feel like it was wandering a bit till more defined vocal lines came into play an gave the song some direction. The song has great ingredients but might benefit from being tightened up in length a bit. That’s only my humble opinion there will undoubtedly be people out there who would like the track to go on even longer, its just that the song gives its secrets away from the start and the only way the song is developed is by trying to find as many ways of playing the same things differently over again. If this is the bands intention they have succeeded with flying colours.

“The Campaign For Real Time” gets funky with “Adjustments” a track from their forthcoming album “Let It Rise”. This track really smokes and is a wonderful combination of the dancing grooves of “The Happy Mondays” meets the savvy of “The Beastie Boys”. A lot of people will dig this band and you can hear this song being pounded out in club land in a dazzling array of mixes.

“Itch” is up next with “Its Not Rocket Science” a previously unreleased track. The track exudes the vulnerability of the Cure with a quirky pop savvy. It feels very homemade and that is a quality, which is often lacking from today's over produced product. You really get the feeling of being in the room with these guys.

“Richard Walters” gives us “We Have Your Head” taken from his “The Pilotlights EP”. This track also has a homemade lo-if quality, which gives it a real immediacy. It has a sort of dreamy, ghost like quality thanks to the haunting vocals, which hover all over the track.

The final track is by “Yndi Halda” called “We Flood Empty Lakes” and is from the “Enjoy Eternal Bliss EP”. It’s the longest rack on the compilation and is very orchestral. It feels a bit bleak and has the feeling of a song in two movements. One could imagine that what we have here is the indie world’s answer to Mike Oldfield as themes and instruments build on the original melody. Personally it feels overly long as once again all the songs mood and secrets appear in the first half.

“Shmecord Label” is a compilation that shows a rich and diverse array of talents in one place. Some of the music won’t be to everyone’s tastes but then you can’t please everybody and we are all different. What can’t be denied is the label are gathering up a roster of artists who are playing music that is different and at times unique and it could just lead to the discovery of the next big thing.

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Track Listing

Meet Me In St Louis - The Torso Has Been Severed At Mid-Thorax
House of Brothers - Lose Yourself
Secondsmile - Smokestacks
Jairus - Fallen Patricia
This Town Needs Guns - I'm Gonna Forget About You Throwing That Rock Cos That Dance Was Kinda Funny
Cats And Cats And Cats - Hotel At The End Of Youth
The Campaign For Real Time - Adjustments
Itch - It's Not Rocket Science
Richard Walters - We Have Your Head
Yndi Halda - We Flood Empty Lakes