Various Artists - Quartermass vs. Kitty-Yo
(Quartermass)
Hello Kitty-Yo. This compilation is a Kitty-Yo label compilation released by Belgian label Quartermass, which seems like a simple concept but is actually quite odd, as it requires more than a little envy. Half of the compilation is songs from prior Kitty-Yo releases—a label compilation of the blandest variety. The other half of the compilation is kind of neat—collaborations between Kitty-Yo and Quartermass artists.
The first collaboration should be called "The Kitty-Yo Theme" as it is a Kitty-Yo inspired rap by Gonzales, backed by Add N to (X). "'Everybody party,' at Kitty-Yo it's more like 'everybody arty.'" It's all nonsense, and Add N to (X)'s gurgling new-wave keyboard accompaniment is also a little plain, but the song is cute. Well, actually, the main cute part is the lyric quoted above. Peaches' collaboration (with Tal) is also cute but of limited appeal. "Lovertits" is cut up and tossed around, creating a jumble of sounds that makes it sound less junky-new-wave and more Andy-Warhol-and-Liza-Manelli-at-Studio-54 disco.
The stand out (only worthwhile?) track on the compilation, though, is the collaboration between Calla and Couch. Both bands come highly recommended, so hearing them merge is a treat. The result is an earthier version of Couch, starting off slightly off-step, slightly arrythmic, trying to resist the groove, before breaking loose like a chugging locomotive, the arrythmic shards turning into subtle ambience—the groove cannot be stopped.
The compilation's previously released portion mines three Kitty-Yo stalwarts' latest albums: Peaches, Gonzales, and Couch—you either have the album already or know what to expect. Two more obscure artists are also included: Stol and Rechenzentrum. The former is a lesser version of the first Kammerflimmer Kollektief album, using persistent (annoying) hand drums, sparse (dial-)tones from a keyboard, and a few bursts of static. The latter, Rechenzentrum, contributes an enjoyable track, "Submarine," that uses a dirty groove along with spooky, distorted vocal samples. Very alive, very German.
The fact that this compilation exists says something great about independent music. Perhaps it is all about the music, after all. Kitty-Yo is deserving of the envy Quartermass is giving them. We should all hail Kitty-Yo. However, the execution is a little lacking. An album full of original collaborations would have been great (even if some are just remixes); as it is there are only two or three songs worth your precious investment.
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