Signals

If, as has been rumoured, they introduce an Honours List in this country as a means of acknowledging valuable contributions to the community, we'll have to propel the Danceline duo to the front of the queue. One can already hear the reverential tones of RTE's Sean MacReamainn setting the scene as Queen Mary Robinson regally intones the historic words: "Arise, Sir Pete, Arise Sir Eddie!"

For the time being that imaginary accolade is all they are likely to get, since the norm in the Irish Indie band scene is to whinge when nobody does anything and to cry 'conspiracy' when they do. This, after all, is about the sixth compilation of fledgling Irish artists the lads have handknitted for the benefit of the public, and their cottage-craft determination deserves to be applauded as a humane antidote to the drop' em before the ink's dry approach of the majors and the 'turn a deaf ear' motto of many Irish radio stations.

Among its many highlights Signals brings another invigorating outing from the jangly-guitar laden Van Winkles, stars of the Fresh Evidence compilation, while Benny Head's tasteful offering 'Backwater' is not the first stirrings of intelligent life from that planet either.

If this is by far Danceline's most consistent aggregation to date it's because they have finally solved the union squabbles in their quality control division, so it must be the regulation tea-breaks that let such disappointing fodder as the Eurovision-friendly After Dark contribution spoil the finished product.

But elsewhere the product is well up to EC standard. MI5's 'Hi-Anxiety', with Sting-meets-Bono vocals, has all the ingredients of a contemporary hit, Dave McGitton's 'I Don't Want To Get Old' is a decent synthy-stomper while The Sirens' endearing rawness showcases a performance of real conviction.

'Take Another Look' by Independence is indecently catchy and Superhate have well Nirvana-ed up the modest 'Baby I'm God' they used to parade as Donnybrook Garage.

All in all this is a most admirable effort from a stable doing more for Irish musicians than labels with a thousand times their resources. Maybe Donie can arrange for Albert to give them some of his eight billion - provided they vote Fianna Fail, of course. You do lads, don't you?

* Jackie Hayden