The Sesh 4 Compilation CD (1/2) By Joe Hakim

(1/2), (2/2).

I'm going to start off by mentioning just how good the overall quality of The Sesh 4 CD is. In the past, the production has varied in quality from track to track, but each and every track on this CD sounds as though it has come fresh from a big studio. This, combined with Darren Rogers' simple yet slick cover-design, has resulted in a product which is essential for anyone with even the slightest interest in the Hull music scene. I'm not giving each track a big write up, because let's face it, it makes for dull reading.

But I can honestly say that there are no real stinkers on this CD, there's something for all tastes, and there's a real sense that all of the bands in Hull are 'upping their game'. Sometimes it's hard to maintain momentum and enthusiasm, but The Sesh 4 is a symbol that Hull's music scene is still in rude good health and kicking like a mule.

From the whacked-out psychedelic experimentalism of Fonda 500, to the ska-flecked pop stomp-a-longs of The Talks, all bases are covered. For a while I was worried that the Hull music scene would be solely defined by boys in bands with guitars, which, while all well and good, can lead to a bit staleness. So it's with equal parts relief and excitement I can say that scene is evolving into a big, beautiful multi-faceted beast which is getting increasingly harder to pigeonhole. The guitars are still there (and they're sounding really fuckin' good too), but they're not the be-all and end-all.

So anyway, I'm going to waffle on about my own personal highlights, but please don't take my word for it; get yourself a copy of this CD, or better still get yourself to The Sesh and check some of these bands out.

I have to start off with the Dance Bastards. For me, this band is something I've been waiting for - a band defined as much by their lyrics and attitude as their tunes. I like what Kate 'The Brains' Wood has to say, and I like the way she goes about saying it. Suckerr is a blinder, and I can almost hear the sneers and the knowing ironic winks crammed in between each and every line and I totally get it.

The tunes, provided by Amy Harrison, aren't to be sniffed at either, with simple, funky, infectious hooks which snag your brain and don't let go. Like a breath of fresh air masquerading as a belch…

Turismo tend to get a lot flack because they're a band which always seem to be hovering on the edge of implosion, with more than their fair share of line-up changes and troubles. But then you have the central unchanging figure of Baggott, the leader and front man, and no one can doubt his ability to craft a slice of pop perfection. Picture of You once again demonstrates his knack of producing a tune that simultaneously sounds fresh and new, while managing to sound like a lost classic from the sixties.

Turismo have that rare ability to write tunes and make it appear almost effortless. You can't buy talent like that - you've got it or you ain't, simple as. It's also comforting to know that if there was ever a nuclear war, Turismo - along with cockroaches and Keith Richards - would probably survive it relatively unscathed. They take a licking and keep on ticking.

The Favours have had an amazing year, what with their appearance at the BBC's Electric Proms and everything else. There's a very real possibility that 2007 could be the year they go supernova, and why not? Sara Sanchez often gets pegged as this delicate elfin figure, so it's good to hear One Up On You, a track that demonstrates the band's arse kicking abilities. Don't worry, the delicious pop chorus is there, but it's sandwiched between distorted guitars and a throaty vocal that brings to mind early PJ Harvey stuff.

I'm not going reel off the old 'do yourself a favour' line, because every one and their uncle has used that one. Needless, keep watching the skies… I love the supreme nuttiness espoused by Fonda 500. You can just tell that this is a band that couldn't give two shits about fitting into any particular trend or bracket. They do what they do, and I can really relate to that. And not only that, they are just fun to listen to.

Continued .... Next Page (2/2)

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