Various Artists - Dance to the Radio
Dance to the Radio is the fourth and final instalment of a vinyl compilation series aimed at showcasing some exciting new bands that have an ear for a dance tune. Although this writer can’t claim to have heard the other three EP’s in the collection, its hard to believe any of them could have topped this.
Opening out with Drink Up Buttercup, a three-piece originating from Philadelphia, their track ‘Even Think’ is a synth heavy pop gem starting with rolling drums and warping bass. But it comes to life when it transforms into fairground pomposity, its as unpredictable as the abrupt end that perfectly sums up their ability to know how much is too much and how to craft a delicious pop song.
The same might not be said of Milk White White Teeth with ‘The Calendar Will Crawl’, which probably could benefit from being a minute or two shorter but despite this the Smiths-like plucked bass and shimmering summery guitar warms the cockles nicely.
Super Extra Bonus Party sound particularly fresh and exciting with New Order-esque bouncing electronics backed up Antony & The Johnsons style melancholic vocals. The EP is rounded up by, the less than danceable, Paul Thomas Saunders, but ‘Getting Loose With the Obtuse’ could still stand on its own as a fine testament to some very strong song-writing.