Search - Various Artists :: New York Noise

Great compilation

Jose Luis Olivares | Austin, TX | 09/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the CDs in 2003, New York influenced my taste in music the most. While a bit pricey, New York Noise is a fantastic compilation of post-punk and early 80s tunes that still sound rockin' today. Featuring songs from Liquid Liquid, ESG, the Bloods, DNA, Theoretical Girls, and an amazing Glenn Branca song, this CD opened up a whole world of great bands I didn't realize existed. Perhaps the only downfall of this CD is the 10 minute rap song by K Rob; luckily, the other songs are catchy, creative, and hip. If you're a fan of bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs or The Rapture and are looking to broaden your music horizons, you'll love this CD."

Solid british comp

Sick On You | Seattle, Wa | 12/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
I was a bit disappointed that Teenage Jesus and the Jerks were not included in New York Noise, but, despite their absence, the album sounded quite good. This cd's insert was packed with photos and information on the bands and No Wave."

A testament to a unique music scene

Simone Oltolina | Morbio Inferiore, TI Switzerland | 05/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not in the habit of reviewing compilations but this one is so good, it deserves an exception.



Over the years, there have been countless music 'scenes', some alive and kicking to this day. One of my favourites was the short-lived "disco not disco" scene which came to life in downtown NYC between the end of the '70s and the early '80s.



In truth `Disco not disco' is just one of the many names used to describe a style that was about genre-bending, mixing punk, funk, disco and, above all, a no-wave sensibility which clearly marks the music as a product of Downtown NYC.



`Punk-funk' is another label which has some currency, just like `Mutant Disco' (incidentally, this is the title of another excellent compilation devoted to the same scene and published by Ze Records, which was sort of the `flaghsip label' for the genre).



What makes this short period of time so fascinaning is the 'scene' element: artists mingling with musicians (in fact, many bands were started by artists, one notable example being Gray, founded by Basquiat and Vincent Gallo), fashion, zines, shops and places (the legendary Mudd club, for one)... In short, many elements and people from different fields collaborating and adhering to the same (or at least, similar) aesthetics and lifestyle.



But I don't mean to take away the focus from the music, which is excellent. Here you have the cream of the crop, the artists that really defined the genre: Liquid Liquid, ESG (still active), the impossibly-cool James Chance, Bush Tetras, Glen Branca (Lesson no. 1, which came before his magmum opus `The Ascension' is perhaps my favourite track here although different from the rest as the disco element is completely absent), DNA (which are closer to the original no wave genre but still manage to be included in the selection), etc.



Many tracks here have a danceable feel, although this is not what the mainstream-dancefloor was having at the time. Singing is reduced to nervous yelps, there is a lot of dissonance (no wave, anyone?) and the use of the bass, something I'm very fond of, is best described as `frantic'.



Lovely compiled by Soul Jazz Records, perhaps the best reissue label out there, New York Noise is an outstanding testament to a fantastic music scene, echoes of which are still influencing people, ranging from Liars to The Rapture."