When the legendary Welsh language record label Ankst released their first retrospective a few years back, it was an instant classic of wierd indie experiments. It also had some heavyweight names to back it up, featuring as it did early recordings by Gorkys Zygotic Mynci, Super Furry Animals and Catatonia.
This new compilation (of songs from 98-2008) features no such carrot on the stick, but is perhaps even more exciting for that very reason: it's like a lucky dip of underground talent.
One band here that you might know already is Zabrinski, and their track 'Feeding On Our Filth' is an early highlight full of old school rave synths, friday night excitement, and brattish indie attitude.
The spirit of anti-English mischief raises it's head coutesy of Tystion, a hip hop group who're thankfully more Public Enemy than Goldie Lookin Chain. They begin their track 'Byw Ar Y Briwsion' with an impression of the Queen talking to her minions: "This is the BBC broadcasting to the subjects of the British Empire!" before proceeding to call for a revolution. Or in their own words, "Revolution! The Real Solution!"
Another highlight is the punk rock mayhem of 'One Last Dream' by The Stilletoes, which features singer Efa Thomas screeching "I may not have a job but I always get the job done!" She doesn't add the phrase "motherfucker!" but she may as well.
Elsewhere, legendary Welsh language band Datblygu are represented by 'Y Teimlad', which trainspotters will note Super Furry Animals covered on their Mwng album. It's a a melancholy but hopeful pop song with a fresh sounding new wave atmosphere - and rumour has it we'll be hearing some re-releases from this group later in the year.
From dub-step raggae to blissed-out techno, there's so much going on with this record that I'd have to write an essay to cover it all. But rest assured that even if you don't speak the language of Crymi, this is an exotic and fun collection that's representative of a truly special record label. Long may we feel the Ankst.
Best new band in Glasgow, by a mile!
...Any more snooker cliches?
...Second track sounds like a more snarly mid-60s Who. Excellent.
...First one sounds like Sean Ryder having a flashback but second track is a killer.
...once you've drunk a bottle of Maker's Mark in Copehagen?
...The more I watch it, the more I like it.
...Sex on Fire is good once you've drunk a bottle of Maker's Mark in Copenhagen
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ARTROCKER: How’s it all going?
RHYS JONES: It seems to be going all right I guess. It’s weird. We’re in our own little bubble. We’re away all the time then we come back and people will say 'oh this happened...
I love this tune. Like Jason Lowenstein fronting The Thermals covering Sweet Jane, with Steve Albini at the controls. In their blurb, they state "we play with passion, and that's...
Now then, Devendra Banhart. I've always liked his beard, but not his music. However, his new collaboration with Greg Rogrove - called Megapuss - is rather good.
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