Ever since the emergence of the Edinburgh born Whimsical Label in 1999 and their subsequent growth spurt in 2005, their artist roster has grown to an impressive and deep quality in a short period of time. With the likes of Jack Butler, Alfie Kingston, The Encierro and Natasha England releasing incredibly strong material on Whimsical or subsidiary label Platform, it is not forthright of them to release what can be deemed as simply an excellent ‘Best Of’ LP. This record makes even more sense in light of the support the label has been receiving throughout the industry via such respected institutions as XFM, NME and BBC Radio One.
The beauty of this ‘Best Of’ is immediate. The quality and diversity of the collection showcasing some enthralling sounds, demonstrating that Whimsical supports fantastic music rather than a particular ‘look’ or genre to back up it’s existence. The amount of variety contained on this LP makes it a true pleasure to listen to.
As well as including Whimsical’s biggest and crowd pleasing releases on here that have already received rave reviews from the industry such as Jack Butler’s “Velvet Prose” and Sunshine Variety Club’s “The Girl With The Crooked Smile”, there are as one might expect some beautifully crafted tracks to be admired and enjoyed over and over again. An album which takes you from 0 to 60 and back down again as quickly as you got there, making you sit up and take note of the truly excellent music. Refreshing turns such as the jazz like breezy ramblings of Natasha England on “I Casually Strolled By” contrast the more traditional Indie musings of Vegas Nights in “It Came As No Surprise” and then again to the haunting key sounds and beautiful harmonics of Emporium’s “Mind Games”. Dig deeper, and you get to see the real secret to this compilation’s appeal - it’s diversity.
If you want 21 songs that exemplify not only the richness of new music as well as the strength of a relatively experienced independent label, then you would be incredibly hard pushed to find any collection of tracks that does so as easily and as effortlessly as this one. An album which will absorb you from start to finish and surprise you on the musical voyage it takes you through.
(Mark McDermott)
The Best Of Whimsical is released on February 7th 2011
www.whimsicalrecords.co.uk
www.myspace.com/whimsicalrecords
www.platformwhimsical.co.uk
platformwhimsical@themusicelevator.com
+44 (0) 7941 815 059
Reviews:
Edinburgh based Whimsical Label was launched in 1999 and the subsequent years has seen them build a diverse roster of artists, many of whom are on this 'Best of' album. Jack Butler open the album with their infectious 2008 single 'Are you a hustler?'. Jack Butler are clearly the jewel in Whimsical's crown as they not only open the album, but they have another 5 tracks including closing the album with the dark synths of 'Apocalypse Clocks'. But this is a label's best of and it isn't just about one band. Be it the smoky vocals of Natasha England, the straight to the point indie from The Shermans (who I was very impressed with), or the astounding harmonies of Emporium. I think there may be too many tracks from individual artists on this album, but they way the collection has been put together it doesn't seem to matter much. This album, with it's diverse range has got something for every taste. It is quite rare for an independent label to have such diversity rather than flying the flag of a certain genre. I have to admit I wasn't really aware of Whimsical as a label before listening to this album, but on the strength of this collection I will keep an ear out in future. (7 OUT OF 10) James Sykes
http://www.subba-cultcha.com/album-reviews/the-best-of-whimsical/article/contentID/22819
BORN in Edinburgh in 1999, Whimsical's blueprint is Glasgow's Postcard record label.
This 21-track offering - out on Monday - is filled with strident indie that takes its DNA from Orange Juice.
No more so is this apparent than with Stirling four-piece Jack Butler who kick off the album with the angular and funky Are You A Hustler? The band have five more tunes on the album proving that they are Whimsical's house band and the most fully formed act.
The tracks include the Franz Ferdinand snarl of Hit Out The Park, Son and the unsettling album closer Apocalypse Clocks, with its ticking guitars.
Eighties star of Iko Iko - Natasha England - has also found a home on Whimsical and offers the smoky I Casually Strolled By.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/sound+check.-a0248300025 (Daily Record Feb 4th 2011)
Whimsical Records hails from Edinburgh and boasts a modest roster of indie-pop singers and bands, none of which have broken the mould, neither have they floundered in a cess-pool of dull indie-dom. This collection rounds up the more memorable releases, drawn from over ten years of existence, an admirable landmark given the recession and digital age, although most of the material here has been drawn from their second-wave of activity since 2005.
Jack Butler is the most-sampled artist on here and weighs in with jangle-disco efforts of some repute, namely the album's opener, "Are You A Hustler?" and another five similar exercises. The catchiest little tune comes from Sunshine Variety Club, a breezy little effort that wouldn't sound amiss on The Coral's best of (if they'd written it), while other notable belters include Adam Tedder's ballad "It'll Be Soon", The Firm's powerful new-wave jerk-punk anthem "Life's Dismal Results" and the slinky jazz-noir of Natasha England's "I Casually Stroll By".
Throughout the compilation however, there are signs of inconsistency amongst the stable-mates - the other England and Butler tracks are indie-by-numbers or cheesy-retro '80s pop, while The Shermans fail to get off the ground with all three of their efforts. I'll make a special mention about Vegas Nights who have gifted us with possible the worst band name since Those Naughty Lumps, Cardboard Meatnappy or Jedward, yet have recorded one of the sweetest psychedelic twee-pop songs EVER.
Overall then, Whimsical isn't that whimsical at all, but a polite and studious class of scruffy yet well-meaning student-types with a natty line in contented anger and joy that might just keep them in downloads for another decade. (3 stars)
Paul Pledger
http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/review/5464/Various_Artists_Best_Of_Whimsical_ALbum_Review.html
So, it's time for a Whimsical best of, eh? Well, I have to publicly declare that I have an interest here, as I used to write press releases for them. However, they dumped me without any explanation or, indeed, a farewell pie. The bastards. So, I think it's safe to say you don't want to buy this.
However, if my pride is of little interest to you, and judging from my life so far, that would seem to be the case, I'll tell you a wee bit more. Edinburgh based Whimsical Label was launched in 1999 and have been ploughing an indie rock furrow ever since, looking back over one shoulder to them there eighties, when skinny white boys with guitars were all the rage in Scotchland. So if Josef K influenced guitar pop is your thing, read on.
Label mainstays Jack Butler manage to snag half a dozen of the 21 tracks on offer, with the best of them 'Apocalypse Clocks'. The Shermans get more than their fair share of tunes, but if you're looking for a lost gem, point yourself towards Vegas Nights, a band who should be huge, if the shuffling bagsy of 'Touch And Feel' is anything to go by. Natasha England from them there eighties made a surprise return to music via Whimsical, and her two tracks are well worth hearing.
Elsewhere, there's a mighty fine ballad in the shape of Adam Tedder's 'It'll Be Soon', and Sunshine Variety Club’s 'The Girl With The Crooked Smile' remains lost classic. Naturally, there are a few tracks that don't pass muster, but you have to admire Ewan Mckenzie's perseverance as the music business collapses all around us. Still no pie for me, though.
http://www.the-rocker.co.uk/
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