Only one person could possibly have stepped up to the turntables to mix Twisted Nerve’s 10th anniversary compilation. Andy Votel founded the label with Damon Gough (Badly Drawn Boy) a decade ago, and its staying power means tough times have been safely negotiated with all sensibilities intact. Votel’s mix, not surprisingly, brings as many tracks in as possible (40 at last count!) but it never feels too crowded, particularly with the range of styles on offer. Rarities, B-sides and established Twisted Nerve classics complement each other well, with the striking sonorities of Graham Massey’s side project Toolshed and the cute pop sound of Misty Dixon just two examples of the label’s diversity. Add the beat-driven Sirconical, the endearingly weird …. and tracks from the likes of Mum & Dad, Aidan Smith and ,. and you have a voyage of discovery. A mild shame that the modest Votel didn’t include any of his album tracks, but if anything that goes to show that even the stuff that didn’t make it is still of good quality. A history lesson on one sense, a celebration of originality on the other.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood