Boards
A lovely sandman review
of Across the Pennines Volume 5
If ever a CD was destined to appeal to the typical
Sandman reader (if there is such a thing) it must be
the latest compilation in Mark Edwards' Across The
Pennines series. They're a bit like a quarterly digest
magazine, except it's a CD, with a diverse but always
fascinating mix of sounds from around the region. Rolo
Tomassi, the Bon Bon Club and Slow Club from
Sheffield; The Witches, Copycats and Modernaire from
Manchester; O Fracas from Leeds; the Debuts from
Halifax; KBC from Preston and Arms At Last from
Liverpool. All unsigned, and in the main, unknown to
me. As with any compilation, the diversity is the main
selling point, and at £2 a copy, it should be made ille-
gal not to buy one. I'll try to do justice to the diversity of
the sound, by picking out a few choice moments. You'll
either love or hate the openers Rolo Tomassi with their
messed up hardcore sound (or noise as my wife calls it).
Guess where I sit on that one. Marvellous. Bon Bon
Club are a Long Blondes side project. Give it a listen if
you fancy hearing a couple of them covering The Cure's
Lullaby. Modernaire have been here before (volume 2)
and if anything are even better. They are now at the top
of my must-see-live list (and that's quite a list I can tell
you). The Debuts have a female vocalist who's been
called a female Ian Curtis, and it's clear why. The storm
they have apparently created around Leeds should blow
your way sometime soon. Try to catch it. Lastly, the
seemingly ubiquitous Slow Club are my last choice for
a mention. Perhaps a little too twee for some, their cute
little ditty is undeniably different to anything else on
here.
These discs are only £2 for heavens sake, so make your
mother proud and call in at your local indie record shop
(or go to www.myspace.com/acrossthepennines) and
treat yourself to a slice of our region's diverse and
newest music.
Many thanks to Viv Bonzo for these kind words.
Across the Pennines Volume 5 is only just available, if you haven't grabbed yourself a copy go to www.myspace.com/acrossthepennines and get a copy! Across the Pennines Volume 6 out soon, keep your eyes peeled for launch parties in Manchester, Leeds and London for Volume 6!