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various artists: COLD BLUE (2002) Cold Blue Music CB0008

Aha! And people thought that what the Chicago post-rock school was a new thing! Forgettaboutit! Cold Blue, a great little label out of California has put out another Gem of a CD. What a shock to discover these new sounds were all created in the early 80’s. This is not “Tron/Wendy Carlos” stuff here, these sounds are new, exciting and as fresh and interesting as they were back in the “thriller” days of old. This is a compilation disc, a concept that I often shy away from because of the inconsistencies of styles and quality. Nevertheless, this disc is listenable from beginning to end, without having to worry about changing moods or styles, or leaping up to adjust the volume. From the opening sounds of Smith’s “Beatrix”, that I could easily convince any Montréaler was God Speed You Black Emperor to the lilting and sweet sounds of Marshall’s slightly gone awry pseudo Italian melody “Gradual Siciliano” this disc throws out exciting and winning numbers from the beginning to the end. If you’d like an intro to Cold Blue, get this album. This is worth sacrificing a few meals for.

(Reviewed April 21, 2002)