- This CD is the third in a CD series entitled “NGV Sounds” commissioned and curated by the National Gallery of Victoria. According to the blurb “the series highlights the partnership of art and music and explores the way in which sound and design inform on each other. Each CD is compiled as an aural journey to be listened to from beginning to end whilst celebrating the Compact Disc as an artform in itself.”
They say first impressions count, and I must have been in trouble on this CD from the minute I tried to bust the packaging open. The CD comes covered in a plastic slide-off sleeve (another piece of unnecessary packaging but claimed to be recyclable) and inside the case is a booklet with the song titles on the cover and the CD facing you in reverse. I couldn’t work out which way the booklet was supposed to go back into the cover and in any case neither side listed all the track titles and with one not having them in order. Inside the booklet features pictures of art works in the NGV Australian collection as well as large write ups on each artist – both of the artwork and songs. Supposedly “the PMS colours, fonts and casing dimensions are catalogued and presented as key design elements, whilst the inversion of the traditional disc and booklet allows all components to play against each other”. What a load of rubbish! It’s hard to get into and actually doesn’t look that good. There’s also no spine entry on the jewel case so that you can find it in your CD rack.
So over the artiness and down to the music. Did I celebrate the CD as an artform? Well, not this particular one. After a strong and promising start by well-known artists Sia “Breathe Me” (Mylo remix) and Deepchild “What’s going wrong?” the album seemed to slide into the background. The CD is aimed at “capturing the many colours of Aus-electronica. It’s a sound that floats somewhere between the dance floor and the trip home.” In my case I must have gone from the dancefloor straight to bed, only to have a nightmare during the Portishead style trip hop of track 6, Inga Liljestrom’s “Stardust” which seems curiously out of place amongst the more housey vibe of the CD. It’s not that the songs are bad on this CD, but that as the compilation is put together (and it’s not mixed), it just seems to go on a journey to nowhere. With the exception of track 6 the mix just cruises along without a twist or turn to highlight any of the tunes. In parts I felt like the album could have just been background music (or even tasteful muzak?)
Two other standout tracks were by Mr Jigga “The Reel” and Ennio Styles “Shufflehof” (Dan Mangan remix), both beautiful downtempo pieces. And there are others that may appeal for their chilled vibe or jazz influences. Basically this CD comes down to some great songs embedded in a boring mix. Stick to curating the artwork NGV. You get that right.
Tracklisting
1. Sia – Breathe Me (Mylo remix)
2. Deepchild featuring Andy B– What’s Going Wrong?
3. Crackpot - Planes
4. Stewart and Melville – Friends
5. uBin – Soapy Water
6. Inga Liljestrom – Stardust
7. Taurine – Without You
8. Hi Fi Mike – It’s the Kill (Bloodstain)
9. Christopher J featuring Til – Switch Pay
10. Mr Jigga – The Reel
11. Ennio Styles – Shufflehof (Dan Mangan remix)
12. The Modern Congress – Wash My Soul
13. Secret Masters - Human Kind
14. Halogen – You Get Me (Fee’koh remix).
15. Bertie Blackman – Tyrone