BSM Records - Making It Up As We Go Along, Various Artists
Samplers are generally ace, especially cheap ones. £2 for a CD is a bargain no matter what is on it; realistically you only need one, maybe two, good tracks to get your money's worth. BSM have now got themselves in on the act with 'Making It Up As We Go Along', an electic mix that scores 5 out of 5 on the value for money scale. Basically, if you're yet to hear of any of the bands on their roster, and you're vaguely tempted by the 'emo' genre, this CD is a must. If you've already heard of MAC and THAS, it's not so great, but hey, it's cheaper than a London pint and so you can't really knock that.
The comp takes in the whole emotional spectrum, with the Lostprophets-esque Hiding With Girls chucking in 'The Stars Cascade' to great effect, while the now defunct The Next Autumn Soundtrack do the Deep Elm thing with the spellbinding 'L.O.V.E'. Sprinkle in a little My Favourite Co-Pilot and My Awesome Compilation and you immediately have four tracks that stand out like a sore thumb because they're that little bit special. In that sense, value for your £2. Add two corking videos from HWG and MAC, and the aceness of The Remarkable Rocket (someone give this band a massive advance and get them in the studio), and you don't need much more.
Which is probably a good thing because, sadly, there isn't much more quality on offer. Fogdonkey don't float my boat at all, while Emotive Exposed are generic screaming with detuned riffs lobbed in for good measure. Imagine a third rate Hondo Maclean and you're right on the money. The Plot To Blow Up The Eiffel Tower are an improvement, all bass riffs and angular guitars and I've heard worse bands than Through Silence, who have supported The Used, so that gives a nod of what this lot come across as. Pictures Paint Words aren't bad either, but The Dudley Corporation are just plain confusing. I'm still scratching my head at this lot...
As a stocking filler, this limited to 500 sampler is great value for any emo fan. There is some real quality here but chances are you've heard it already. If you haven't, dip in your pocket for two shiny coins and get ordering...this ain't bad for someone who made it up as they went along...
www.bsmrocks.com
Paul
