++ALBUM++ review by Sophie Hall

Fat Cat Records - 2007 Sampler

Released 20th August 07 on Fat Cat Records

The label that brought us Sigur Ros are back with a 2007 sampler - and a collection of artists that could teach the Velvet Underground a thing or two. Sophie Hall gives it a spin...

Any label that can name themselves after a bloated feline whilst introducing us to an exciting array of electronica, indie, and experimental music deserves respect. Fat Cat records are responsible for the likes of Sigur Rós and Múm, and they’ve just released their second album sampler.

"...if only she’d been warped back to the sixties and forced upon The Velvet Underground, she’d have done a damn sight better than Nico."

What's incredibly thrilling about this record is how talented and original all the artists are. Glaswegian band The Twilight Sad mix soaring euphoria with enigmatic vocals, and are powerful enough to send us all into blissful darkness. Meanwhile, Charlotte Field and Amandine offer an energetic side to the album with their wreckless and feisty attitudes.

Vashti Bunyan is simply enchanting. Listening to her track ‘I’d Like to Walk Around Inside Your Mind’, you can’t help but think if only she’d been warped back to the sixties and forced upon The Velvet Underground, she’d have done a damn sight better than Nico. Like the German legend, she shares quite a haunting mature element to her vocals - but is a far more beautiful singer.

The slower, more tranquil songs come from the indie folk elite of Vetiver (on ‘Idle Ties’), and Tom Brosseau (on ‘Committed to Memory’). Although I tend to gloss over singer songwriters nowadays (James Blunt sufficiently tainted my view of them), it’s wonderful how much heart there is here.

Overall it comes together as a group of songs by artists who are unique and original - and in some cases downright scary. In this case, the Fat Cat really has got the cream.

++ Sophie Hall ++

Artrocker rating: 4

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