Various Artists - 'Future's Burning' (Nude) Released 17/01/05

The New Year is upon us and to enlighten us as to what’s to come Nude records have compiled a record of the very youngest guns and brightest sparks…

Well at least that’s the idea, but you can’t help but get the feeling upon listening to ‘Future’s Burning’ that this is a cynical exercise in niche marketing. Don’t get me wrong there are some really inspirational moments on display here but this is indie for indie’s sake. Opening track Franz Ferdinand’s ‘Dark of The Matinee’ sets the tone and rarely does it diverse from the indie “Boys In The Band” formula which leads to the second song on this CD ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ by The Libertines which is superb. You either love the cheeky, vice ridden Londoners or you don’t or so the expression goes. I myself have always felt a vague indifference towards them to be honest and was surprised by how this particular track is so enjoyable, it does sound like Steve Babybird fronting Sleeper but I used to dig both bands…in 1995.

The Zutons ‘You Will You Won’t’ makes a welcome appearance sounding like ‘Crosstown Traffic’ and at the same time ‘Crazy Horses’ (yes you read that right, Crazy Horses by the Osmonds) which I think is quite a feat and deserving of the attention I’m told they’re receiving in The States. Another highlight for me is the inclusion of The Open’s ‘Never Enough’ which is a great song to fall in love to (at least for a night) in an indie club. My personal favourite of the Riffola/Jangle on display here is Dogs Die In Hot Cars ‘I Love You Cause I Have To’. This is by far and away the most forward thinking track on the whole CD and lyrically magnificent. This is followed by the The Spacemen 3-tastic Sons & Daughters ‘Johnny Cash’ which also rocks my world with it’s high energy stomp and excellent title. 

There is some utter bollocks on here in the shape of Razorlight, The Music (surely Kasabian should have made it on to this in their place) and The Others. The latter’s ‘This Is For The Poor’ is absolutely awful but then again crackheads are never usually touted for their creative depth. I’ve been poor all my life and the last thing I need is a song from that gobshite.

All in all though this is a pretty good (yet obvious) indication of what’s to come. I suggest for maximum thrills and spills check out Wall Of Sound/We Love You’s ‘We Love You…So Love Us’ series which is a real mixed bag of young talent. Good for a CD Walkman (you can skip tracks) but not a cassette player as I wouldn’t subject your ears (or waste your batteries) to some of the mediocrity on display here.