Review: Rewind And Pause: Cassette Culture Compilation Volume One

Rewind And Pause: Cassette Culture Compilation Volume One (2006) Lonely Whistle Music/CD

An ambitious attempt to condense the diversity of 'cassette culture' from 1980 to 2000, produced by the 'cassette culture' godfather himself, Don Campau (sorry, Don!).

This two hours plus compilation of 40 tracks and 40 artists works because it does an excellent job of conveying the weird and wonderful of some of the most respected hometapers of the 1980s and 1990s. All life is here.

Split into two CDs, both with liner notes from some of the artists themselves, and recording dates, 'Rewind And Pause' is a project which obviously has some debatable omissions, but most of the underground 'names' I remember are here: Lord Litter, Don Campau, Hal McGee, Ken Clinger, Big City Orchestra, Zanstones, Crawling With Tarts, Heather Perkins, Mystery Hearsay, Dino DiMuro, If, Bwana, The Rabbits Hat, et al.

On the first track on the first CD, Kevyn Dymond is his own vacuum cleaner, and advises "put some mustard on your weener". This is followed by 'Beat Hemisphere' by R. Stevie Moore, which sounds like bubblegum, with equally dodgy lyrics! 'Love Under' by Russ Stedman really rocks with notable gtr., and Dauerfisch's 'Blue Moon' is mellow. Robin O'Brien's 'Mobile' has some striking vocals, and Viscera produce a weird mix of stunted electronica, with Hal McGee's mad vocals. on 'Failing'. Arguably Germany's most respected underground musician, Lord Litter, comes up with the singalong 'He Is Just A Lonely Zombie', while Don Campau's 'Two Minutes' is a song, Don says, "about people in a hurry." Fun song with sparkling guitar. Ken Clinger's 'Sandra' has a moody electronica vibe, and 'Life In Gameland' by Greg Segal is pretty catchy. Heather Perkins 'I Could Be Liquid (No Afternoon)' is a sombre, beguiling piece, and Mark Hanley's 'Malayalam' has a strong Eastern feel, with some effective use of distortion. Dino DiMuro's 'Viewmaster' has stunning guitar work and a mention of Ken Clinger! MJB then produce an interesting "lofi rock-opera", 'Alien Abduction Suite'. Silly Pillows sound a bit like The Velvet Underground going electronic on 'The Moment Really Cooks', and Big City Orchestra's 'Adam And Eve' is a backwards tape sound collage, with various Biblical outpourings. Earwig Spectre have the strangest track on the whole collection, lyrically anyway. The piano backdrop is like music from a silent movie. Lots of...er, interesting imagery! Insane in a cool way, as the title, 'Aberration In The Vegetable Kingdom', would suggest. If, Bwana's whirring melodix mix on 'Ed Barnes' works well, to wind up CD 1.

The second CD begins with one of the best pieces on the whole compilation - James Richard Oliver's almost old-style r 'n' r 'Flea Market'. The lush, electronic pop of 'Woman In Anguish' by J. Mundok is also notable for its production, and this is followed by disturbing stuff from Fork In The Blender! 'I Do' by We Be Echo has a strangely hypnotic frenetic rhythm, and then we hear some accomplished rhythm and blues by Al Perry on 'Amorous Procession Pt. 2'. It's super strangeness from Crawling With Tarts with 'Here', while 'Jamor' by The Rabbits Hat is a lovely dreamy song, with an effective blend of male/female vocals. -ING's 'The Dance' is intriguing. What's it all about? Dunno, but it's interesting. The next track is, by way of a contrast, more traditional pop - the beautiful Britpop ballad 'Jennifer', by Garfields Birthday. Then it's more strangeness with 'Presidential Timbre' by Bret Hart. Sort of very hardcore psychedelia. Some of this stuff is hellishly difficult to describe! 'Solution Immoral' from Dark Factory mixes pleasant electronic pop with a loop of a strident female barking: "I asked you a straight question, you better give me a straight answer!" Em, brought back memories!...Zanstones 'Casstewette' is a tape collage of various sounds, with a rolling Germanic voice over the top, presumably Zanstones Zan Hoffman. Dave Fuglewicz's 'Theta Meadow' is a sweeping soundscape, reminiscent of early Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream. The final track on this fine compilation is the extraordinary sound of Mystery Hearsay with 'Aforprofit'.

'Rewind And Pause: Cassette Culture Compilation Volume One' is a very enjoyable slice of underground musical history. Now bring on the movie!

- Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com.

This album is $13 postpaid to the USA. International is $16 postpaid. Paypal accepted. Available from: LONELY WHISTLE MUSIC, PO Box 9162, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, U.S.A.

Don Campau has been a long-time supporter of underground/alternative artists, through his appropriately titled 'No Pigeonholes' show on KKUP radio in California, and his Lonely Whistle Music label.

Don is an accomplished artist himself, and his 1986 album, 'Paralyzed By The Very Thought', was a notable example of his talents.

Here, Don explains what his website is all about:

"The World Of Underground Music and Radio
This site is dedicated to the music of people outside of the music industry, people doing weird, experimental sounds or just personal expression for the love of it. It is about people making contact with other people and not about "product" being pushed. CDs can be purchased but they can also be traded and contact with the artist is direct. Below, you will find links to various underground and home recording projects. Discover the world outside of the mainstream."

Find out more here:
http://www.doncampau.com/
Also of interest:
cassette culture - home taping forum