“Suffice to say that a large proportion of the artists showcased here only managed the one release, which means that the CD is chockfull of exuberance and, shall we say, a certain immodest vitality? ”
“Suffice to say that a large proportion of the artists showcased here only managed the one release, which means that the CD is chockfull of exuberance and, shall we say, a certain immodest vitality? “
Inner City Sound – Australian Punk and Post – Punk (Laughing Outlaw/Konkurrent) Every now and again we get a CD at the shed that is akin to an alco-pop suddenly tasting nice, a pair of old pants suddenly fitting you or a visit from an in-law that turns out to be quite pleasant. To quote Prince George in Blackadder, “It’s like you think that a cat’s done its business on your pie only for it to turn out to be an extra large blackberry”. Actually this flippant beginning is rather unfair on this CD. I should start again. I must admit that given that two of my all time favourite artists sat on this lengthy compilation – namely, The Saints and The Triffids, not to mention the Birthday Party The Laughing Clowns and The Go Betweens – I was pretty interested in giving it a whirl. Rather it was the pretty uninspiring cover artwork that stayed my hand, plus the (oh so cynical) thought that the rest of the stuff on this 2 CD package could be average to crap filler. Well I admit I was wrong. This is an absolute must, a CD brimming with verve and invention. Okay, yet another stab at an introduction is needed, just to convince you… ICS tells (and this following chunk is taken from the sleeve notes) “the story of Australia‘s punk/post – punk music underground of the late 1970s early 1980s. Inner City Sound is also the name of a seminal book on this very subject”. Clinton Walker’s ICS was first published in 1982 and this CD is its musical accompaniment; proof positive that his claim that Australia‘s post – punk scene was every bit as, (if not more so) creative as the “sister” scenes in the US and the UK. One final note on the packaging, as it contains a fabulous family tree showing how interlinked the whole shebang was musically. So, to my review proper. Actually after such a long introduction, this next bit will come as a damp squib I’m afraid! There are 47 tracks and I don’t know where to start or indeed how to proceed without missing stuff out/sounding flippant/not paying the correct amount of time on each track (and in the process not boring the pants off you). I’ll be straight and tell you that 90% of the stuff on ICS is fucking marvellous. Honestly, that’s all you need to know. In any case, if you are looking for more proof, how can this stuff not be marvellous with band names/song titles such as these? Sacred Cowboys – Hell Sucks; Leftovers – I Only Panic When There’s Nothing to Do; Thought Criminals – More Suicides Please; XL Capris – My City of Sidney; Sekret Sekret – Girl With A White Stick; Essendon Airport – Talking to Cleopatra; Black Assassins – Death Take Me Now. Suffice to say that a large proportion of the artists showcased here only managed the one release, which means that the CD is chockfull of exuberance and, shall we say, a certain immodest vitality? Oh just go and buy it, it’s better than most new releases out. Words: Richard Foster. http://www.laughingoutlaw.com.au/
