Website: TC Electropunk
(NOTE: entire album can be downloaded at the link above)
Continuing the legacy of volumes one and two, the electropunk scene in the Twin Cities has once again banded together to release a free compilation promoting their unique sounds. With the second volume in particular showcasing a lot of talent and potential, expectations for the latest pressing were probably higher than they should have been.
This is, in no uncertain terms, a collection of unsigned bands. And, in no uncertain terms, will half of them ever find someone to sign them without some big changes in songwriting and composition. To call the collection uneven is more than appropriate, with a lot of filler by folks who are not ready to be out of the basement yet. Highlights include Mach FoX’s lush “AXion/FriXion”, MSRP’s vicious “All That’s Left to Say”, and Avenpitch’s super-catchy-chorused “Nothing”. Plenty of other great bands are represented, but certainly didn’t chose their best work for this record. And still others, like Hondo and Unicorn Basement, need to understand that no amount of funny lyrics will disguise a terribly grating vocal.
Walking into a disc of unsigned bands, it’s no surprise that most of the tracks are demo-quality at best, production-wise. It’s a bit of the DIY feel that makes electropunk what it is. Even still, one can hear that OBCT, Thosquanta, and The Eighth would stand out much more prominently as talent if more polish was thrown onto the mixing board. On the other hand, NeoOneEon and Evarial have a long way to go before mere production quality will make them something to watch.
As a freebie, it’s certainly worth your time to check out what sort of oddities are swirling around musically in the home of Prince. Just make sure your expectations are properly set if you want to fairly appreciate this offering from the electropunk scene.
