Various
Artists | Towncraft Matson Films
Reviewed
by M.R. Smith
...Towncraft,
a sharply packaged box set that includes a feature-length DVD, two
CDs, and a 60-page booklet, documents this brave little world, chronicling
Little Rock’s underground music scene from 1986 to the present
(the release shares its name with a cooperatively funded 1992 compilation.)
The positive-minded template of Washington DC’s Dischord Records
plainly struck a chord with the industrious Little Rockers, as the
brainy and melodic inuences of that label’s pre-emo acts
(Dag Nasty, Fugazi, Rites of
Spring) are all over early bands like Chino Horde and Trusty (The
latter even realized the dream by moving to DC and signing to Dischord.)
As the years went by the scene grew in size and its sound got more
sophisticated, moving from straight-up hardcore (Numbskullz, 12’6”)
to garage rockabilly (Bloodless Cooties,) guitar pop (Magic Cropdusters,
Johnny Mac,) heartland rock (Boondogs, Ho-Hum,) R&B/soul (Michael
Chase, New Jazz Assassins,) Tindersticks-esque piano noir (Applescruffs,)
singer-songwriter confessionals (Sugar & The Raw,) and back
to punk again (Smoke Up Johnny.)
The
lm, produced and directed by former scene musician Richard Matson,
was screened nationally prior to this release and features a wealth
of live footage and often humorous interviews with band members
and scenemakers—most of whom (Matson included) seem to have
moved to lands beyond, having done their part for punk rock in Little
Rock, Arkansas. As a document the set is undeniably impressive,
an invaluable time capsule not only of a particular period and place
in modern culture, but of a speci c demographic’s transition
from bored innocence to adult realities. Admittedly, though, most
of the actual music on Towncraft isn’t likely to hold many
revelations for the ears of middle-aged alt-rock graduates, since,
alas, it generally only recaps acts from the outside world. But
that’s not really the point here: To these kids their music
was everything, and it’s obvious from the start that they
meant every last note of it and that it still means a lot to them
today... CONTINUE...
|
