Short Reviews [Various Artists - 2022 - "Addicted Tunes"]

Over the years I have been fortunate enough to review many albums from Russia, as well as quite a few from Ukraine, and Addicted/No Name have become one of my favourite labels due to their uncompromising approach which seems to start at sludge/stoner and move all the way through to experimental prog with Disen Gage being one of my favourite Russian acts. Strangely enough they are missing from this compilation, which features both Russian and Ukrainian bands and was released the month before war commenced. It was released to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the label, and is a 17-track album with 11 exclusive and available only on this compilation As founder Anton Kitaev says, “For lovers of Psychedelic, Experimental and Avant-Garde music, this compilation is a great chance to look East and what our label is about.” While I know Dogs Bite Back. IWKC, Pressor, Detieti and Juice Oh Yeah, most of these bands are new to me, and is a great sampler for the label while at the same time also giving something to those who are already aware as most of these songs are unavailable elsewhere. The result is an 81 minute set which is never going to fid favour with those who want their music something towards the middle, nice and safe, but instead is for those of us who want music to be challenging. Even so, it is unlikely that everyone will like every track as while Бром’s “Сон милицанера” is experimental and massively over the top with great bass driving a screaming sax, it is preceded by Pressor’s “Pressor – Twist the Bliss (Wiklauri Remix)” which has way too much of a hip hop feel for me. Pressor are also responsible for one of the covers, a sludge driven MC5 monster take on “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” which is either a masterpiece or a desecration, depending on your viewpoint. However, if you want to discover some great music from the Russian/Ukrainian underground then this is a great way to find it. Available to stream through Bandcamp.