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Various Artists
Under the Sun
(Fish Eye/Uvulittle Records)
The staggering diversity of musical offerings that inhabit a typical Wisconsin summer is given full examination in Fish Eye Records' latest compilation, Under The Sun. Fish Eye visited six Madison street fairs and sampled the funky, folky and homegrown alternative. Capturing the Atwood Summer Fest, ArtFair on the Square and Marquette Waterfront Festival, thirteen bands sit amazingly at ease with each other's distinctness. Producing divergent styles and making them flow, Fish Eye has taken a snapshot that is rich in design and inventive to the extreme. From the traditional folk blues of the Cork & Bottle String Band to the high octane surf guitars of the Elizabeth Schaefer Band; from the acoustic musings of Peter and Lou Berryman to the world beat of Sovavento, the vibe is always heartfelt and honest. Midway, the parade from a Mifflin St. Block Party unfolds and a delightful madness explodes. Going for short bursts from each band rather than extended jams, (nearly half the bands clock in at under three minutes), miniature epics from the like of Your Mom, The Quickies and Rhoda leave strong impressions which segue into grooves that maintain equal measures of smarts and stamina. An additional bonus of a never before released stomp from primitive post-modernists Headpump seals the deal. For a comprehensive catalog of the local scene,Under the Sun is a smorgasbord of
summer delights.
John Noyd
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