4 out of 5

Label: Polyvinyl

Producer: Various

See, was that so tough?  That’s how you make a label sampler.  You don’t just toss all of it into a blender, you don’t front-load it with superstars or singles – you select from the supporting corners of your catalogue and you find tracks that are good representations of those corners.  I don’t even really like any of the songs too much on this comp, but it’s a totally listenable comp because of how smartly it’s put together.

Polyvinyl has undoubtedly made some major contributions to the music world, and I do own my fair share of releases from the label.  BUT… I can’t help but shrivel up my nose in regret whenever a band I dig releases on Poly, because I can’t quite shake the emo associations of the label.  Which, based on this sampler, are wholly deserved (whoops!).  But, based on this sampler, groups that I never would have listened to have my toe tapping, and so are capable of generating more interest per song than I would’ve assumed via my judgmental never-heard-’em-but-I-see-the-indie-chicks-wearing-glasses-listening-to-’em suspicions.  Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, Owen – they’re good tracks.  They show what the band sounds like without going for broke with their best song ever and, natch, these tracks are scattered between the beginning, middle, and end, with some familiar but perhaps not as well-known names bubbling between, all of this sort of sectioned into opening “rock” tracks, then into the twee stuff (like ‘Of Montreal’), then into quirky rock, then, finally, into quiet folk.  I like this method.  You can go with trying to stagger loud and quiet songs, but I feel like on label samplers, the continual ups and down PLUS the continual changing of who you’re listening to prevents your ears from focusing.  But grouping the songs (effectively) via musical style divisions – well, it’s very effective.  It made repeat listens easy and viable, once I had the flow down, as you can better qualify what you’re listening to by what’s around it… so if you like track 2, you’ll probably like tracks 1 and 3.

Now I guess I’m going with 4 out of 5 because… well… despite my admitting that PV has done right by the music world, the whole emo thing isn’t the only reason I’m not full-on on the label.  I also don’t think they really have any bands that knock me senseless… there’s almost always something off, whether its dispassionate vocals, or – let’s take Joan of Arc as an example – or a group where one song just can’t cut it.  Why do I feel the need to explain this shite, eh?

It’s a well done compilation.  If you dig the PV ethos, you WILL find something new here.  If you don’t, like me, you might be surprised how listenable the comp is, even though it might not make you want to spend yer hard-earned porno money on Xiu Xiu’s back catalogue or anything.