Continental Drift

Continental Drift is a compilation of contemporary guitar pop released in partnership with labels Slumberland and Fortuna Pop! and features four bands, one from Edinburgh, Scotland (The Spook School), one from East London (Tigercats), and two Americans - Baltimore's Wildhoney and Philadelphia's Mercury Girls. Lots of retro jangly guitars, contagious melodies, and pleasing vocals. The two tracks by Wildhoney are the highlight of this collection.

RIYL: Pale Saints, early Throwing Muses, late Lush, the compilation C86, and the Elefant Records 1990s catalogue.

FCC CLEAN!
Recommended Tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8!!!

1. (3:03) **Holly by Mercury Girls – Cool jangly guitars, medium-up tempo, infectious rhythm and nostalgic vocals. Very early 1990s dreampop. Think Velocity Girl and Boyracer.
2. (2:55) Sometimes I Hide from Everyone by The Spook School – Quiet intro then speeds up – fast tempo until the end. Track driven by vocal melody and a parallel rhythmic guitar arrangement. Light power pop.
3. (3:15) ***Horror Movie by Wildhoney – Medium-up tempo vocal centered track with great guitars and beautiful singing. The structure of the track is quite imaginative – drastic rhythm changes, cool effects. Think early Pale Saints/late Lush.
4. (3:21) **Sidney St by Tigercats – Slow/medium tempo recording driven by minimalist percussion rhythms and a early 1980s guitar pop sensibility. Think Aztec Camera meets Throwing Muses meets Emotional.
5. (3:09) Gone Home by The Spook School – Guitar driven medium tempo song. Light dreampop with sweet vocals and fast guitars.
6. (3:27) *Beverly by Mercury Girls – Energetic and upbeat. Think early Dinosaur Jr. guitars meets Throwing Muses vocals.
7. (3:09) Rent Control by Tigercats – Medium tempo guitar driven recording with lots of catchy riffs and an early Britpop vibe. Influenced by early 1990s Pulp.
8. (6:39) ***T L (Reprisal) by Wildhoney – The masterpiece of this collection. Guitar driven slow intro with The Smiths energy and splendid vocals. By minute 2:42 the track switches to a medium-up tempo beat with killer shoegaze guitars, whispers, distorted overdubbed vocals and even a sax solo.