That the Irish music industry is in its healthiest state for a while is, by now, a given and it’s probably time to stop congratulating ourselves and start figuring out where it goes next. The answer, at least according to new label Faction, is to start thinking bigger than the DIY own-label approach that has dominated of late.
Thus Faction ONE is almost a meeting of the old and the new ethos, a small Irish label release featuring a selection of bands who have struck deals with the likes of Big Cat, Fierce Panda, Vertigo, Atlantic and EMI, as well as a few bedroom pioneers.
Like 2002’s Kicking Against… record, it sets out to present an overview of what’s going on – but unlike that post rock/post singer-songwriter collection, there is no clear theme. Instead it brings together the biggish hitters, some emerging contenders and one complete unknown.
Dublin’s DC Pakt are the only really new name on offer but manage to leave one of the strongest impressions with the fizzing guitar burst of ‘Departure’. Of those we know about, however sketchily, Angels Of Mons, The Marshal Stars and Director all offer workmanlike alternative rock.
To these ears, the tracks from Red Organ Serpent Sound, The Blizzards and The Immediate are far more exciting prospects – adrenalin fuelled, keyboard propelled and suggesting that Ireland has more to offer the new wave of new wave of new wave than just The Chalets.
The Future Kings Of Spain’s ‘Venetian Blind’ we already know, although it has a certain Weezeresque charm, which just leaves a couple of exclusives.
Cathy Davy seems unable to extricate the actual melody of ‘Cannonballs’ from its complicated self, so its Republic Of Loose who take the top honours with the previously unheard ‘Comeback Girl’. It sees them distil their sound even further, adopting an almost r&b groove and a hip hop way with a lyric (“clicking on me emails, thinking of my females, smacking up the retail”).
In truth ROL are the only artists here who sound as though they are truly working to their own unique agenda.
For everyone involved, that's the biggest challenge because meeting it successfully may be the key to long term success.