Revolution in Sound II

TinCan TV

For Rockers, Ravers, Lovers & Gazers...

Northern Star Records. What can one say that hasn’t been said already? It’s been a busy year for the label, having released a handful of albums, with the latest installment in the catalogue, being the compilation, Revolution in Sound II.

I remember Scott Causer, the mastermind behind the label, telling me back in 2009, before RiS I was even made, that he had all these great songs he didn’t know what to do with. They didn’t really fit his amazing Psychedelica compilation series. But he wanted them released, and he was willing to buck the trend a bit, and hit with something that crossed lines. RiS II, just like it’s predecessor, is a hard hitting, fast talking ride. For anyone looking for really amazing music - music that breaks down the barriers and the walls - this is an album for you. “For rockers, ravers, lovers and gazers”, I think Northern Star nails it on the head with that statement.

Some of the bands on this compilation are not new to the Northern Star ranks. Youngteam, the Nova Saints and Lost Rivers are all Northern Star bands. While, Screen Vinyl Image, Punk TV, Laboratory Noise are making repeat appearances. Some new comers join the ranks. Lüger and Humanizer, take their place amongst the familiar faces. A cross section of some of todays most cutting edge bands. If you don’t know them now, you will soon enough.

The album is chock-full of some amazing and eclectic selections. Some of my favorites include both familiar faces and some which are new to me. Highspire, with their song Sunraindown, has that dream like drone and shoegaze backdrop, with an airy like vocal laid over the top

Blanche Hudson Weekend, bring their heavy distorted and fuzzy guitars for an in your face attack, just like the song title suggests, Noise and Fury. Youngteam offer up their song, Adrift. With it’s reverb drenched guitars, and jangly tambourine, you’ll fall in love quickly with it.

Lost Rivers smack you up side the skull with All Dark (For the Last 24 Miles). Heavy distorted guitars and lots of deep dark attitude. Enough to wake the dead. Lüger comes with their BOOM! Their song, Swastika Sweetheart, will take you on one hell of a ride, as they bring you to the top of the mountain and let you drop. It’s a rush you’ll want over and over again. Laboratory Noise follows Lüger, with their addition of Here She Is Evergreen. I love how these two songs work “together”. I personally love weaving and wrapping myself around the guitar in this song. Many other song to explore. With 17 total, this is just a small cross section of what to look forward to.

“The making of a great compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might seem. You gotta kick off with a killer, to grab attention. Then you got to take it up a notch, but you don't wanna blow your wad, so then you got to cool it off a notch. There are a lot of rules.” (“High Fidelity”) And I think it’s fair to say, Scott does a damn fine job following the “rules”.

REVOLUTION IN SOUND II will be released in conjunction with legendary UK label Cherry Red on October 17th 2011. Pre-order details to follow!

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