Desperate and Dateless

Spunk! Single's Club Vol.1
Various
Spunk!, 2009
3.5 stars

There’s not usually a lot of risk involved in buying a CD of various singles. Over the years, never-ending seasonal collections such as 100% Hits and Hit Machine, and more recently So Fresh, have taken all of the surprise (and quality) out of it. But this album is different – not only are the bands here about as recognisable as the brand name on a jar of ALDI mayonnaise, they’re all local produce too. Spunk! have hand-picked twelve up-and-coming bands for this collection, with each given four or five minutes to show their wares. It’s a nice idea and, for some of these bands, their first appearance on vinyl or shiny plastic. The fare is predominantly JJJ-ready indie rock, with highlights coming from Melbourne’s Super Wild Horses and Central Coast NSW’s Birdlife. All up, a nice package, and not half as risky an investment as one might think.

Artwork: A
Some nice collage work, with the same kind of feel as recent Black Dice and Wolf Parade album artwork. No, it's not a new idea, but here's done well - a theme that carries on in the music on the disc, actually.

Published in mX, Thursday February 26, 2009.