Wonder From A Quarter Acre (1998) - Various Artists

This incredible comp was released by Au Go Go in 1998, similar in tone to their subsequent 'Musikal Identikit' offering. I first came across it when S:Bahn put their two tracks up on their Bandcamp page to download. Featuring artists such as Art of Fighting, Sea Scouts, Golden Lifestyle Band and 2 Litre Dolby, the compilation is a nice cross section of this particular niche in the late 1990s.

Highlights include both of Art of Fighting's tracks (all I have of their catalogue thus far, unfortunately), the S:Bahn tracks ('Down on Broadway' being one of their finest moments, an angular slow-burner), 'Frida Kahlo', a different cut of the first track from their seminal El Caballo Rojo LP (this one is shorter by three minutes) and El Mopa's jangly contributions.

Jutting out are two early tracks from The Avalanches (probably pertinent given the recent release of their second album), which are in primordial form of that further explored on their debut, rather than the earlier noise rock that I was hoping for. The protracted grunge of the Sphyzein tracks, whilst good in their own right, tend to stick out like a sore thumb.

1. The Chorus Is Suffering        4:26    Art Of Fighting
2. Under Sea Community        4:01    The Avalanches
3. Tenderhook        3:23    El Mopa
4. Lake Of Fur        3:50    S-Bahn
5. Zac Heard A Scream        4:22    Sea Scouts
6. Bit        3:21    Sphyzein
7. Honey Von Cutulle        3:04    2 Litre Dolby
8. A Call Backward        4:21    The Golden Lifestyle Band
9. You And Me On Mars        6:13    Art Of Fighting
10. Yamaha Superstar        1:53    The Avalanches
11. Frida Kahlo        6:29    2 Litre Dolby
12. Down On Broadway        3:56    S-Bahn
13. The Againth Of Must I        4:37    The Golden Lifestyle Band
14. The Ascent        3:53    El Mopa
15. Deep Seat        3:31    Sphyzein
16. The Lighting Song        6:15    Sea Scouts

Various Artists - Wonder From A Quarter Acre (1998)