Take 14 of Scotland’s youngest and most promising musicians, stick them in a recording studio by the River Clyde for 12 weeks of rehearsals, instrument workshops, music industry seminars and recording sessions and the outcome will be iPop Volume 1. With a wide range of musicians exploring a variety of genres from heavy metal to acoustic indie and pop, this compilation record is the result of a project which gives Scotland’s new and emerging acts a great chance for exposure.
The Revolt provide ‘Heartless’ as the opening track, a contemporary indie effort with classic punk undertones. Stockholm Syndrome’s ‘The Switch’ is your basic heavy rock song with some interesting spidery guitar riffs. ‘Buried Lies’ sees an even further progression in heaviness as South of Summer offer growling vocals over rumbling metal with enough double bass to imitate an earthquake.
However, Kill The Vibration are a welcome alternative to the masculinity that dominates the album as classic punk gem ‘The New Wave’ boasts lead vocals from a proper riot girl. Fool On’s ‘636’ continues the rock theme of the compilation, with thoughtful, interesting lyrics upon booming guitar and bass. Badfolks’ ‘See It In The Wind’ is folky and ambient with soft dreamy vocals almost whispering in your ear over lightly galloping drums before the song explodes into full on rock n’ roll.
‘How Big’s Yer Tele?’ is another indie track from Front Line Playground, not unlike The View or even Jamie T. Molitov’s heavy rock offering, ‘What I’ve Become’ does sound powerful but, like many of the tracks on the compilation, it’s extremely held back on the recording. 5 Days Today’s ’11:09’ is a lovely little piano/acoustic song with cheeky lyrics about cheesy guitar ballads and even has a reference to Katy Perry’s ‘Thinking of You’. The Audio Effect are once again, a female fronted band and their track ‘Stop Trying To Be Me’ is a light girly track with a 60s style influence.
All in all, the album is dragged down by countless bands such as Necropolis, The Clock, The Aviators and The Touch all wanting to be the next big thing in rock to the point where it gets a little boring. But the few tracks that do break this mould prove that some good can indeed come from this project. Bring on Volume 2!
(Riverside/iPop site)