Alternative Ireland - The Reason God Invented Alcohol...1994-1996 [Vol. 5]

Joyrider should have been massive – it’s a little disheartening listening to their records now – as brilliant as they are (Check out LP “Be Special”) I always feel they were cheated as they were so much better that 99.9% of the other rubbish that was popular at this time. If you want to know what Sonic Youth would have sounded like had they been from Ireland check out Belfast band Backwater. This Alternative Ireland mix sees the music taking a change – it seemed that in the years 1994-96 the music was getting a lot heavier probably off the back of the grunge movement that exploded a couple of years previously – this made attempting to find a distortion pedal in Ireland particularly difficult.

I think Ash were only 12 when they recorded “Petrol” – still their best song in my opinion, Pet Lamb scare the wits out of everyone with “Black Mask” and Kerbdog get as close to metal as possible – reminds me of the US band Helmet. It’s not all heavy though – there are some classic pop nuggets in here also, “Talent” by the Brilliant Trees is full of hooks and melodies, “It’s Not My Fault” by Blink reminds me of Carter USM crossed with A-House and the song is brilliant while The Sultans Of Ping momentarily morph into Primal Scream for “Mescaline”. Rollerskate Skinnys’ “Speed To My Side” is arguably the greatest single released in Ireland in the 90’s, finally the mix is completed by The Plague Monkeys which sees us finish on a wistful note – beautiful piece of music this one fans of Cocteau Twins/Sundays should enjoy.

Listening to these songs today – most of them could be released tomorrow such is the freshness of the music, doubt any would be hits though highlighting that the fact that the best music needs to be discovered – it generally does not turn up on commercial TV/Radio…

Enjoy!

01. Are You Sure You’re Alright - Joyrider [from 1996 album “Be Special”]
02. Shady - Backwater [from 1996 album “Angels Are Cool”]
03. Speed To My Side [Edit] – Rollerskate Skinny [from 1995 single “Speed To My Side EP”]
04. Don’t Lead Me Down - Revelino [from 1994 album “Revelino”]
05. Shea - Scheer [from 1995 single “Shea”]
06. Petrol – Ash [from 1994 album “Trailer”]
07. Life’s A Cinch [Single Version] - Mundy [from 1996 single “Life’s A Cinch”]
08. Black Mask – Pet Lamb [from 1994 single “Black Mask EP”]
09. Sleepy Feeling - Sunbear [from 1994 album “Sunbear”]
10. Revelate – The Frames [from 1996 single “Revelate”]
11. Talent – The Brilliant Trees [from 1996 album “Friday Night”]
12. Older And Older - Bawl [from 1996 album “Year Zero”]
13. Mescaline – The Sultans Of Ping [from 1996 album “Good Year For Trouble”]
14. Traveller – L.I.R. [from 1995 single “This Appeared EP”]
15. It’s Not My Fault – Blink [from 1994 single “It’s Not My Fault”]
16. Dummy Crusher - Kerbdog [from 1994 album “Kerbdog”]
17. When We Were Young – Whipping Boy [from 1995 album “Heartworm”]
18. The Plague Monkeys - The Plague Monkeys [from 1995 single “People And Machinery”]

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