Burning Heart Records - 'Heartattack Vol.1', Various Artists
So Burning Heart Records have been around for a decade now, this compilation is what’s noted as a ten year anniversary gift. Now usually I’m a little sceptical of compilations especially those with any sort of personal element as they often exclude the casual listener, however, this is a damn fine effort!! And why is that you ask? Well, my friends, there is so much musical variety on here I can virtually guarantee you will not only find something new and exciting but several things of the same description. The first disc is an aural raid across the BH roster taking in the usual suspects such as THE (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY, THE HIVES, RANDY, C.AARME and MILLENCOLIN et al. The second disc, dubbed the ‘exclusive disc’ is just that; it’s packed full of rarities and cool collaborations.
As most compilations aim to be; this appears to be frighteningly good value for money with twenty four tracks on the first disc and fourteen on the second, the mathematicians among you can mull over how much each track equates to but it’s bloody good value no matter what. There’s a load of bands on here I’d not previously made an effort to listen to and even some I’d not even heard of. It’s always a treat to find something interesting to listen to and this comp has that quality in abundance.
With such a plethora of tracks and sheer overwhelming variety on the first disc it should come as no surprise that there are a fair few highlights; NASUM’s offering is a real treat of sludgy and metallic hardcore which is followed by a lovely quirky little number by THE WEAKERTHANS. PUFFBALL are one of the bands I’ve not heard before and they’re offering, which has an 80’s hardcore element fused with rock’n’roll riffs, is certainly leaves a lasting impression. This can also be said of the two hip-hop outfits on the disc; LOOPTROOP and PROMOE, both of whom add a refreshing tone to the CD. Other bands who are worthy of a mention are THE LOST PATROL who throw in a big slice of female led melodica guitar pop and MONEYBROTHER’s track which sounds like it could be by ELVIS COSTELLO, both of which are very quaint but leave a smile nonetheless. Unfortunately MILLENCOLIN’s track isn’t as good as one would hope, but there are plenty of other little gems to keep your attention.
The second disc (the exclusive one) kicks off with DIVISION OF LAURA LEE covering MINOR THREAT. Fat Mike appears on RANDY’s ‘Beware’ and C.AARME’s effort features members of ENTOMBED and AT THE GATES. TURBONEGRO cover ‘Repo Man’ originally by IGGY POP and there’s also a not so exclusive SOUNDS LIKE VIOLENCE track on there too along with a fair few others. As you can see it’s an interesting mix and really a complete bonus after the gargantuan first disc; it all adds up to what is, probably, one of the best compilations I’ve heard in a long while.
-Mike
www.burningheart.com
