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South African Indie Volume 1

25 Nov 2009

What does it really mean to be indie or alternative these days? In a way, indie has become almost a dirty word, spurned by those painfully hip ones who usually can't seem to enjoy or appreciate anything from the mainstream. Indie originally meant independent of a major commercial record label and usually classified those lesser-known obscure bands, but when indie and alternative is the current in-thing and enjoyed by the majority, what can truly be considered the “alternative”?

South African Indie Volume 1 brings you a 17-track collection of Afrikaans and English songs from SA's indie labels and their very hot right now bands. Whatever your opinion on the indie debate, you can't deny that South African Indie Volume 1 is a truly rocking album showcasing some awesome songs from some awesome SA bands. Though I can't help that feel that a compilation album “that is guaranteed to be played on repeat in student digs, at braai-side jols, and as soundtrack to road trips all over the country” and is “a fantastic Christmas stocking filler for your favourite niece or nephew!” (South African Indie Volume 1 press release) goes somewhat against the whole meaning of indie. Though maybe I'm just biased, I have never really been a fan of compilation albums, finding them usually to be cheesier than a packet of Bubbles and with about as much longevity. But if you had to have a collection of songs from different artists all in one package, South African Indie Volume 1 would be a good choice and has a lot more staying power than compilations like “Now Monster Hits Version 37 Volume 308”.

Featuring a couple of tracks that have never been released on CD before, including the great In the Twilight by aKing, Jack Parow's hilarious Cooler as Ekke, Talking to Myself by electro pop prince Jax Panik and Pille Vir Kersfees by Die Heuwels Fantasties makes this album alone a great one to get your hands on. Add to this some great tracks by Ashtray Electric, The Dirty Skirts, Desmond and the Tutu's, Straatligkinders and Fokof and you have a compilation album that you will never need to skip a track of.

Tracklisting

1. Lia - Ashtray Electric
2. Een Konfrontasie - Van Coke Kartel
3. Venus Fly Trap - Taxi Violence
4. Lonely King of Hearts - The Cavalier
5. Gewonde Standbeeld - Straatligkinders
6. Antibiotika - Fokofpolisiekar
7. Something To Believe In - New Holland
8. Daddy Don't Disco - Dirty Skirts
9. Peter - Desmond and the Tutus
10. Sterkte - Zinkplaat
11. Outokrasie Van Die Hart - Winterstasie
12. In The Twilight - aKing
13. Bad Liver Blues - Pretty Blue Guns
14. Talking To Myself - Jax Panik
15. Cooler As Ekke - Jack Parow
16. Pille Vir Kersfees - Die Heuwels Fantasties
17. Sleep Wrestlerish