Various Artists: “Missing Nothing”

May 17, 2012 0

The word “mammoth” doesn’t usually figure into many album reviews, but we can’t think of a better word for the 6 CD set, Missing Nothing. This various artists compilation, put together by the Southampton, UK music collective/online community known as Bang the Bore, gathers tracks ranging stylistically from experimental composition to improvisation to noise. The scope of this set is nothing short of amazing and it this album is a fundraiser, kids! The folks at Bang the Bore will use the money made to fund shows in the Southampton area by purchasing a PA at first and maybe more if the set sells well. In a statement on the group’s site concerning the collection they wrote, “We wanted to release something beautiful that people would want to keep; something that represents the musicians who have played for us during our first three years of events; and something that helps introduce some lesser known bands from our hometown of Southampton, UK.” Well, mission more than accomplished because this set is beautiful. It features artists such as: John Butcher, After the Rain, The A Band, Ashtray Navigations, Seth Cooke, and many more. If these names are foreign to ya, never fear because we’ll let you in on a secret: they’re all good.

The 6 CDs are arranged thematically, with the first disc containing shorter tracks, though on this set “short” is a relative term because most cuts clock in at double digits. The second disc holds ecstatic noise and electronics. Disc three is more DIY style noise, but doesn’t get too freaky. The fourth disc is dedicated to improvisation. Disc number five is on the trippy side, what some might call “psychedelia.” And finally, the sixth disc is made up of tracks recorded either live or in unique locations away from a studio/room set up (listen to Seth Cooke’s “The Tower” recorded in a “derelict cooling tower” below). So how does a listener navigate such a monster of a set? Try starting at the beginning. As much music as there is on this comp, it could take your next road trip, series of long ass bus rides, weeks of traffic jammed work day commutes, or repeated sweaty exercise sessions to listen to all of Missing Nothing. The music reveals itself slowly and since there’s so damn much of it, it makes it easy to answer the question of, “What the hell am I going to listen to today?”

The Missing Nothing compilation is now available from Bang the Bore

Written by Jeff Daily

Tags: After the Rain, Ashtray Navigations, England, Europe, John Butcher, Reviews, Seth Cooke, southampton, The A Band, United Kingdom