Various Artists - Grow Your Own Volume 12 (Album)
The Grow Your Own series is a compilation released by Damien Gerard Studios and Foghorn Records, drawing together an array of unsigned Australian artists. They are also responsible for releasing volume twelve – the second one for 2008 – that contains nineteen tracks from various genres.
Unfortunately, this release is offered in an environment where music snobbery prevails and many people are hesitant to listen to material from acts they have not yet “heard” about, and others who are using the Internet to learn about new artists. Thus, these people have an uphill battle in nurturing the careers of these up-and-comers, which is a shame given the level of talent on offer here.
Song, They Don’t Make Boys Like They Used To by Illicit Eve could in fact be Ella Hooper performing a Killing Heidi song. In essence, it is a ballsy rock song fronted by a pouting fem fatale lusting for her boy from yesteryear. Similar sentiments are offered in the subsequent track, Jesus Ain’t My Boyfriend by Squeaker. However, the latter is some decent electro-pop with a message that reminds me of those “Jesus is my homeboy” t-shirts.
Tracks, Take It Easy by Unique Existence hints at Green Day’s Hitchin’ A Ride and Baby by Stella’s Kitchen is like The Living End with a twist of funk. Other genres also appear with Reflector’s “I Believe” sounding like Missy Higgins’ Steer. And The Fear’s Roymackonkey manifests like Something For Kate, as the singer has similar vocals to Paul Dempsey.
Pollution by Zenith ASP feels like the John Butler Trio performed by a heavy rock act. Then the release concludes with Firehouse’s Devil’s Disaster which is like a Dallas Crane rock song peppered with some wailing Jimi Hendrix guitar riffs.
In all, the release is a sound one by some new, unsung artists and the next crop of unsigned acts. With the pleasing music on offer here, one can only hope it is a matter of time before they venture into the world of commercial music debuts.
