Various Artists ‰ÛÒ Suicide Squeeze Presents: Forever Singles (Suicide Squeeze)

Various Artists ‰ÛÒ Suicide Squeeze Presents: Forever Singles (Suicide Squeeze)

Michael Lovito

Like one giant, rad garage rock house party

This compilation from Seattle based record label Suicide Squeeze collects 14 singles previously released by various bands via the label, often times in limited edition vinyl formats. Stylistically, most of the bands featured fall somewhere in the garage, lo fi or noise realm, with some deviations, like surfer girl heroes (and one-time WVAU Rack Artists) La Luz (“T.V. Dream‰Û) and post-punkers Wax Idols (“Schadenfreude‰Û). Like all good limited edition singles, most of the songs are straight, to the point and have some broad base in classic garage rock/power pop, full of distorted power chords and deceptively bubblegum rhythms and choruses galore. Songs from big names like JEFF the Brotherhood, King Tuff and Dirty Beaches feel right at home along side lesser known groups, creating the feeling of a sort of lo-fi music festival. Overall, the whole thing is pretty undeniable, full of urgent and irresistible hooks and riffs and totally devoted to the cause of cool guitars, loud drums and rock and roll.

RIYL: King Tuff, JEFF the Brotherhood, Dirty Beaches, any of the groups featured here
Recommended: 1-6, 11, 14, but it‰’s pretty tough to go wrong here