The Tupelo Tapes: Best Of Independent Ireland

‘Indie’ compilations – doncha just love ‘em? Happy Daze, The Best Degenerate Anthems Album in the World Ever, Ukrainian Acoustic Techno, Americana from Waterford, Retro-baggy from Clondalkin – the possibilities are endless.

Fortunately, the first Irish package-de-luxe from the thoroughly resourceful international web haven doesn’t get carried away with any catch-all sales pitch or laboured sleeve notes. Just eleven tracks from eleven artists worthy of cocking an ear or two at and seeing what you fancy.

Short, sharp, pop-fuelled shock? One and a half minutes of NPB please. Elegantly elongated multi-instrumental soundscapes? Nine minutes of the Jimmy Cake will do nicely. Straightforward acoustic ditties that won’t give you a pain in the arse? Roll right up for Mundy, Colm Quernay, Nina Hynes and Alazarussoul.

Throw in a gloriously underproduced gem from Estel, electronic fun’n’games from Chequerboard, an angelic snog from Babelfish,a real raw beauty from Tenspeedracer and a shimmering slice of downbeat swooning courtesy of Adrian Crowley and you’ve got a rock solid first installment in what promises to be ongoing series. A good litmus test is that my favourite here keeps changing with the weather, which is exactly what the object of the exercise should be.