ALBUM REVIEW: Function Records sampler

First published: 2005-04-24

Small bands compilation CDs are always a bit hit and miss, usually consisting of nothing but bandwagon jumpers of the latest "movement". Given such previous bad experiences I wasn’t hugely anticipating the Function Records sampler, but seeing as it features personal faves Lebatol, Jersey’s answer to Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr, I decided I’d give it a chance…

I’m glad I did: Lebatol are as pleasingly noisy as ever with "Disappear Here", the standout track from their album "Four by Ninety Four", while Escanna continue rocking in a similar vein.

The next track provides a complete change of pace; the album is described in the press release as "violent dischord and soothing noise", so Menendez’s contribution "Beef Jerky" is definitely the latter. It’s got a hypnotically repeated guitar riff and beautiful wailing vocals to send you off into a dreamy sleep, only to be woken up when Push to Fire’s "Controlled Explosion" blasts from the speakers. Conjuring up noises from a guitar that sound like an electric drill, it’s completely non-musical but in an amazingly energetic and powerful way…like an aural car crash, you can’t help but listen.

Another highlight is the no-wave rocking of "You’re Smiling Now But We’ll All Turn Into Demons", even if before that you’ve got to sit through Bulletproof’s out of place and unoriginal ska chops complete with shouts of "Oi oi oi!"…but never mind, it was almost perfect.