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Review: 'Various'
'David Cameron’s Eton Mess'   

-  Album: 'David Cameron’s Eton Mess' -  Label: 'Song, By Toad Records'
-  Genre: 'Indie' -  Release Date: '19th October 2015'

Our Rating:
The timing of this release couldn’t have been much better: it’s almost as if they knew what was coming. Of course, it’s pure coincidence, but I doubt there’s much love lost between the guys who run this Edinburgh-based label, or the up-and-coming Scottish guitar bands featured on this compilation, and the PM.

The premise of the release is simple, and deeply commendable, too: namely, it’s designed to provide ‘a snapshot of a really exciting time in Scottish music... So many talented young musicians are starting to find their feet and their friendships and musical interactions are generating a palpable sense of anticipation and energy.’

In a period of apparent stagnation in music and culture more broadly, it’s refreshing to learn there are pockets of positivity, a groundswell of energy, a sense that somewhere, there is optimism that culture hasn’t slumped into a completely moribund state under late capitalism.

Beyond the broad rubric of representing ‘embryonic Scottish guitar bands’, it’s a pretty broad spectrum, and in a way, the diversity is integral to demonstrating just why there’s reason to get excited: if all the bands sounded alike, it would be simply another emerging genre scene, next year’s Shoegaze or post-rock, or worse still, Romo or New Wave of New Wave.   The murky low-fi bass-led country-infused ‘Rut’ by Lush Purr couldn’t be much further from the exuberant riot-grrrl punk of Breakfast Muff’s – ‘Older Guy’ or the slacker indie grunge of ‘Motorcade’, the contribution from Dune Witch Trails.

‘Psychic Soviets’ dish up some jerky post-punk that sits between The Fall and early Wire with ‘I Become a Feminist’, while Joyce Delaney’s cutesy indie pop belies a deceptive boldness, telling it straight on ‘Don’t Be an Asshole’. The fuzzed-out Pixies-inspired guitar blast that is Wendell Borton’s ‘Saucy’ is a personal favourite.

The sound quality is pretty rough at times, but again, we’re not talking about manufactured major label productions here, but a collection that represents the unrepresented, and the early days of a groundswell of bands who exist in a world removed from ‘the industry’. This is the spirit of the indie world reborn.

It’s very much starting to look like the grass roots is where the future of music lies, and it’s great to have the opportunity to check out so many new bands in a single sitting. And for that reason, it’s got to be worth a punt.

David Cameron’s Eton Mess Online

  author: Christopher Nosnibor

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Various - David Cameron’s Eton Mess