Rough Trade Compilation

I think this is my first hatchet job review. I can see no reason why this CD should have been made. Bands doing versions of other people's songs around a theme can be an interesting proposition – but in this country murder is a crime.

The Veils come out of this with credit their 2 contributions demonstrate their potential and considerable talent and range. I have a liking for The Fiery Furnaces and they manage to dislocate The Fall's Winter in a way no-one else could. But what is the point of doing another version of Part-Time Punks when it is just a tuneless version of the original without any of the charm? Belle and Sebastian do some obscene things to the Young Marble Giants track Final Day and maybe there's an excuse that they're trying to do something new with it, but it just sounds horrible. Doesn't anyone have the critical distance just to say "stop it, it's not big and it's not clever".

In case you haven't guessed, I have loved Rough Trade Records. The greatest, most inspirational music, the definition of my musical being is the first 50 Rough Trade singles. This CD is just a waste of studio time. Well, I guess that's me off their promo list. Someone had better stop me before I get upset...