Junkbox Jury #1
So. This is the concept of Junkbox Jury…
One of the most exciting moments for any band - particularly a new one, and particularly if its their first - is when the record comes out. It may be a full-length album, or something more modest like an EP or a single, but its always a thrill. Thousands of new CDs are released every month, the vast majority, alas, don’t trouble the charts. Some sell very well nonetheless to a dedicated fan-base, but sadly some end up where no artist wants to see them: in that milk-crate in Cash Converters or in a box at a car boot sale. Or - even worse - brand new and still in the shrink wrap filling the sale bins at high-street retailers. At least the 2nd hand ones have been listened to (perhaps even all the way through).
Some, I’m guessing, don’t deserve to be there. Others should never have been made in the first place. In an effort to investigate this for the Harry’s Place Arts team, I have been scratching through sale bins. The only criteria are these: The disc must cost under £1 and the purchaser must not have heard of the artist.
Apart from that, I’ve selected based on one or more of the following. The artwork or packaging looks really nice. The name of the band, or the album sounds intriguing, or simpy “well, that’s a cool song title”.
So, this week, on offer we have three discs begging for redemption.
And this is where you come in, dear readers. YOU are the Junkbox Jury.
Below is a track from each of the featured albums. Listen to them (stick ‘em on you iPod even) and share your thoughts. A choir of angels? An ungodly din? Pants? Groovy and far out in a really happening way?
You be the judge!
The track with the most enthusiastic response will go through to our eventual Junkbox Jury Grand Final.
But in the words of the great Marty DiBergi, ‘enough of my jakking, let’s boogie!!”
This is what is on offer today:
The Departure - Lump in my throat [listen]
Lard Pony - Post-Apocalyptic Love Song [listen]
22-20s - Devil In Me [listen]
So, what’s your verdict?
Comments
| 18 July, 2008, 5:59 am |
Great idea, next time I’m passing trash converters I’ll nip in & see what catches my eye. It’s how i used to find new music back in the days when I was a hip young thing listening to cutting edge new music. Doesn’t always work right enough, it’s how I ended up owning a radiohead single.
On the music front, quite liked the 22-20s track - I’ll need to ask my brother-in-law (15 years younger & infinitely hipper than me) if he’s heard of them
| 18 July, 2008, 6:25 am |
My vote goes to Devil In Me. Nice Rockabilly riff (I think…)
| 18 July, 2008, 6:44 am |
I have vague memories of 22-20s being the next big thing. How sad.
| 18 July, 2008, 7:05 am |
22-20s for me too. They WERE supposed to be a next big thing at one point, but here they are in the Dumper where the best that last.fm can think to say is “SIMILAR TRACKS: Razorlight ‘Vice’.” What ignominy.
David, you only like it because it sounds like ‘The Loop’ by M*******y.
| 18 July, 2008, 9:43 am |
It’s all fucking rubbish, frankly.
| 18 July, 2008, 9:43 am |
Andrew - that is PRECISELY what I thought when I heard it.
(Yes, that is why I like it)
| 18 July, 2008, 10:14 am |
What a brilliant idea - I built half my record collection out of Woolie’s ‘Bargain Bucket’.
| 18 July, 2008, 10:20 am |
I quite liked lump in my throat as well, once it got going. But I go for Devil in Me too.
| 18 July, 2008, 6:30 pm |
I agree with fridgemonkey. It was all really derivative. I wanted to punch all members of lardpony - leading me on with a name that promising and delivering something so sixth form and *concerned* - yuck.
Other ideas for weekly/monthly posts - CDs that are great (or worth a couple of quid because they have one or two great tracks on them) that keep
cropping up in charity shops/second hand cd stores. Reviews of the reviews - what the papers/mags are raving about and if what they are raving about is any good/worth your money. Recommendations of stuff that others may have missed/had little coverage. An *I don’t get … [name of artist/band]* feature - great opportunity for someone to slag off someone highly rated and for others to jump in in defence.
Let me start - current rave of the press - Fleet Foxes: yes they are as good as the reviews say they are. The endless comparisons with the Beach Boys? Yes, if the members of the Beach Boys had grown up in a place where it always snowed. The album is very wintery.
| 21 July, 2008, 5:32 am |
Lump In My Throat - Singer sounded a little like a bad English Green Day.
Post-Apocalyptic Love Song - When he said ‘Nuclear sunset’ it just felt cliched. Not awful but not good.
Devil In Me - Just doesn’t seem to register anything with me! Good if you’ve drank way too much whisky maybe?
So having to pick the best of a bad bunch I’d go with Lump In My Throat song.
KevinG - I think the Fleet Foxes are good, White Winter Hymnal is a sweet song, interesting video as well.
| 15 August, 2008, 1:00 pm |
[...] Junkbox Jury #1, 22-20’s with “I’m The [...]
Write a comment