On The Bone Compilation – 'Number One' (On The Bone) Released – 12/02/07

The North of England has never failed to bring us good music. From the wistful Smiths of the west to the Arctic wordsmiths of the east, the quality has always been exemplary and on the cutting edge of the British music scene. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the ‘On The Bone Compilation’ – which rattles through nineteen bands who want to be the next big thing – isn’t about to break the mould.

For those in the North ‘On The Bone’ will be a common phrase. The duo of, James Brown and Tom Goodhand have been running the club night ‘Leeds On The Bone’ as a showcase for new talent for almost a year now with great success. It was only a matter of time - actually just two weeks, when Tom was holidaying in Spain – until the two set up a record label to spread the word further. Understandably On The Bones Records first release is a celebration of the bands that have graced their Leeds stage over the last twelve months. For those who’ve attended, you’ll know what to expect from this compilation. For those who haven’t, you’re just about to find out what you’ve been missing out on.

Like all good collectives ‘On The Bone’ seems to reach the final track before you’ve barely pressed the play button. Songs switch from the Futureheads sounding, Mother Vulpine (‘We’ll Be Detectives For The Day’) to the placid jazz minimalism of Wild Beast’s, ‘Boom!’ with subliminal ease - the latter of which is an especially joyous listen. Further highlights come courtesy of; The Somatics’ ‘Remote’ which is a provocatively uplifting, guitar driven listen; The Lodger, who dish up a slice of catchy indie romance on ‘Let’s Make A Pact’ and Quack Quack’s hypnotic instrumental ‘Spinach.’

What ‘On The Bones’ curators, Brown and Goodhand can be most proud of with their first compilation is that of its nineteen tracks, thirteen are previously unreleased. This isn’t just an album of discovered talent, there’s a genuine chance for the sum of £6 you might just find the next big northern thing on this album. For example, rising star Fran Rodgers’ rather morbid acoustic number ‘The Protestor’ is a particularly fine acquisition to the album, as is This et Al’s rousing ‘Free Adam Innocent.’

The ‘word’ is that everyone from up North sounds like the Arctic Monkey’s these days. Well, ‘On The Bone’ proves that from time to time the word should definitely be ignored. While it’s commonplace now for a new indie label to release a compilation, it’s not all that common that they release one as good as this.