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With this 18-song compilation from indiepop label Planting Seeds you get a few pop favorites, a few new names, and a bit of "where are they now?" for some big names from the 90s. The tracklisting is divided into 2 sections; "Sunsets" kicks off with the opening track from Fonda, which is like Heavenly filtered through California sunshine pop. Astropop 3 could use some more energy in their "don't give up" song. Former Ride man Mark Gardener sounds like he's been hanging out Stateside, as his track "Snow in Mexico" has a distinct Americana flavor. The Jesus And Mary Chain's Reid brothers surface separately with new projects. Sister Vanilla finds William and sister Linda in a very sweet pop mode, with Linda's vocals accompanied by acoustic guitar and tinkling piano. Jim's new project Freeheat doesn't fare quite as well and was a lowlight of the disc for me. Camera Obscura completists can find a live acoustic version of "Books Written for Girls" on here, wrapping up the "Sunsets" section.
Highlights on the latter, "Silhouettes" half of the disc include The Asteroid No. 4's reverby Americana-pop (if it was me I might have sequenced them after Astropop 3, because of their names, but I'm a dork that way), crescendoing Brit rock from newcomers Goldrush, and a lovely lilting folk-pop number from Linda Draper which also serves as evidence that ubiquitous early-90s producer Kramer is still alive and working. Teenbeat's Tracy Shedd also makes a solid appearance. There are also 8 other tracks on this disc, but the ones I've mentioned are the only ones that made a real impression on me, positive or negative, which I suppose is not a great percentage. I'd say that this compilation is ultimately better for completists and trainspotters than for those seeking listening satisfaction. (mike.06.05)
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