Here is Hobbyism, a compilation of 8 songs, performed by artists who signed to UK record label Full Time Hobby. As Rob Gordon said, “the making of a great compilation tape is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might seem. You gotta kick off with a killer, to grab attention… There are a lot of rules…‘’ (John Cusack, High Fidelity, 2000). Indeed, I would not have enough time of my life to list every disastrous compilation released by labels to promote their artists, but fortunately this one is pretty good.
The first song is “My Name is Carnival” by Erland & the Carnival. Leaded by guitarist Simon Tong (Blur, The Good, The Bad And The Queen), the band gives us a catchy, swinging track, with guitar that seems to come straight from an Ennio Morricone composition. Great opening!
Things take a turn for the worse with “Babelonia” by School of Seven Bells. That is nothing but a song you have heard a million times before, with an unbearable computer voice. This is the mistake of the compilation, the kind of track you will always skip when playing the record, for two main reasons: first it is boring, and second it definitely doesn’t match with the rest of the CD.
If you like Americana, you will definitely enjoy the third song, “2’s & 3’s” by Micah P. Hinson. The main achievement of Hinson’s music is probably his ability to use lots of instruments in his songs, and still have an harmonious whole. There are Indian choirs, violin, cello, flute, trumpet, mixed together in a mystical, bewitching composition, but it doesn’t mean it is overloaded.
Then comes “It Breaks,” the second track of Tunng’s last LP “…And Then We Saw Land.” A typical example of their work: various sounds and instruments (they even play with seashells sometimes)in a mid-tempo song with the inimitable tone of the two tangled voices of Becky Jacobs and Sam Gender.
Track number 5: “Carry Me,” by Malcolm Middletown. This one is a deeply peaceful and relaxing piece, with both spoken and sung lyrics. It would be absolutely perfect with a glass of Porto, facing a sunset after a hard working day…
The next one is an electro/krautrock song, performed by the Brighton based band Fujiya & Miyagi - “Taiwanese Boots.” The rhythmic session and the melodies are pretty simple, but the experimental, psychedelic aspect of the track makes it interesting, preventing the band from becoming trivial.
The Leisure Society’s piece “We Were Wasted” is without doubt the most depressing song on the whole CD. It is kind of a black diamond, sad and glamorous, quite fascinating and very moving. It is too bad this is not the closing song of the compilation. It would have made for a wonderful end.
The last track is “Mirrored and Reversed,” by White Denim. Experimental music has been at the place of honor so far - this track is no exception. Filled with influences from 60’s-70’s psychedelic rock to 50’s rock and acid blues and more, there is definitely a lot going on here. But in the end, this is an unusual song with its own identity, which is a long way from being unenjoyable.
In conclusion, there are 7 out of 8 good tracks on the CD, and the compilation is essentially homogeneous, which is maybe the hardest thing to do making this kind of record, all the more so when every artist or band is pretty different from the others. Thanks to this, “Hobbyism” is both diversified and consistent, and gives a good glimpse of the attending bands.
Rating: 4/5
Reviewed by Robin Oddon
Record label website: http://www.fulltimehobby.co.uk/main/
“Hobbyism” is available at Road Records http://roadrecs.com/
Total Duration: 31:09
Tracklist: Erland and the Carnival – My name is Carnival (3:02); School of Seven Bells – Babelonia (5:03); Micah P. Hinson – 2’s & 3’s (5:16); Tunng – It Breaks (3:27); Malcolm Middletown – Carry Me (4:49); Fujiya & Miyagi – Taiwanese Boots (2:43); The Leisure Society – We Were Wasted (2:55); White Denim – Mirroired and Reflected (3:56)
