Various Artists

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The End Is Here: The Last Label In The World Presents The Last Bands On Earth

Saustex, 2020

9/10

Listen to The End Is Here The Last Label In The World Presents The Last Bands On Earth

Saustex Records never disappoints, and here they bring us new and unreleased tracks from 18 artists on their roster, where countless ideas are explored in the area of rock, and all in unconventional and exciting ways.

Harvey McLaughlin’s “Outhouse Crescent Moon” starts the album with gritty piano rock as his ominous wordplay is met with frisky drumming and spirited guitars, and Joecephus And The George Jonestown Massacre’s “Evil” is propulsive and exciting blues rock that soars with intricate guitars solos.

With 18 tracks on hand and a diverse line up, there’s something for everyone here, including the eccentric soulful, avant garde rock of Churchwood’s “Ain’t Your Choir”, where a harmonica adds much to the poetic atmosphere, while Hamell On Trial makes great use of his 4 minutes with his signature folk protest sounds on “You Better Pray”. Texacala Jones Pony Island Express then offer a thumping and rugged version of garage rock and cowpunk with “Blue Saber”.

Back half highlights include the scrappy lo-fi pop of “Metallica Font”, by Stefan Murphy, and the humorous honky-tonk of The Beaumonts and their breezy anthem “Details”. Hickoids end the album in a way that only they can as classic rock and old school punk meet in the unusual mash up "The New Fangled Maple Leaf Rag”.

If you’re a regular peruser of compilation records, you’ll want to dive in on this one, and if you’re only an occasion listener of the format, well, I’d say you’re missing out if you don’t at least give this one spin, as there’s plenty of raw rock’n’roll in the areas of folk, blues and punk to be absorbed.

Travels well with: Churchwood- Plenty Wrong To Go Awry ; Hickoids- All The World’s A Dressing Room