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CD review: Various artists ‘Casual Victim Pile’
Various artists
‘Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010’
(Matador)
Grade: A
With “Casual Victim Pile” so dominated by the furious sounds of rock ‘n’ roll — from Follow That Bird’s righteous, Joan Jett-evoking “The Ghosts That Wake You” to the closing midtempo New Wave shuffle of Lost Controls’ “Entirely Wired For Sound” — it might come as a surprise that the best word to describe it would be “love.”
Of course, it’s a sappy way to sum up a record so decidedly unsappy, so loaded with kicks and thrashes and even a one-minute, four-second song — “Nazis On Film” by the Teeners — that’s one of the best bits of driving gutter punk that will ever assault your eardrums. But Matador Records co-owner Gerard Cosloy’s highly personal snapshot of the Red River scene circa 2009 is an obvious labor of love from the first track to the last, carefully curated and misfire-free.
Whether on the low-key jangle of Harlem’s catchy “Beautiful and Very Smart” or the psychedelic drawl of Elvis’ “Mommy’s Little Soldiers,” “Casual Victim Pile” manages to feel cohesive without ever limiting itself, bounding across 19 tracks of headbang-worthy rock.
Even if it is just a glorified mixtape — albeit a mixtape from Matador Records that we hope will bring needed exposure to a bushel of great Austin bands — it’s just about the most lovingly assembled collection of fiendishly addictive tunes you’re likely to find anywhere. Way to make the Beerland faithful proud, Matador.
Read more about ‘Casual Victim Pile’ in Sunday’s Life & Arts section. Bands featured on the release will play three nights — Feb. 4-6 — at Beerland to celebrate the record.
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