Messthetics No. 3

Continuing its alphabetical anthology of punk-era U.K. D.I.Y. 45s from "Th" to "Va," Messthetics #3 has the most unconventional opening of any volumes in the series so far: the wired, acoustic badinage of the Tronics' "Shark Fucks," the Marc Almond-meets-the Meat Puppets spookiness of Tiny Town, and Trwynau Coch's pre-Gorkys Welsh-language "Byw ar Arian Fy Rhieri." With only a couple of cuts from Steve Treatment (including his Swell Maps-flavored reworking of "I Wanna Be Your Dog," "Danger Zone") to interrupt the idiosyncrasy, it's easy to think you've wandered into an off-the-wall Rough Trade-style sampler completely by mistake. But, of course, you haven't. It's just Messthetics business as usual, and more power to the makers for that. Besides, things settle down a little thereafter to round up some genuinely solid post-punk and prickly pop, with a handful of cult semi-superstars popping up in places just to ignite a spark of recognition -- the formative They Must Be Russians, the debutante UK Decay, and the first, vaguely Joy Division-esque musings of 23 Skidoo. Other treats include the Thermometers' power popping "20th Century Girl," the Vacants' lucidly lackadaisical "What Happened," and Hugh Volk's compulsive "Robot," a lo-fi gem with just a hint of Patrick Fitzgerald lurking around the edges. Two Fingered Approach's "My World War Album" is another gem, a grim buzzsaw drone that is bisected midway through by a gleaming Buzzcocks-style guitar solo. Unlike earlier volumes, Messthetics #3 packs more from the 1980s than the late '70s, with the musical mood of that decade thus flavoring the music more than hardcore punk archaeologists might enjoy. Overcome that particular quirk, however, and accustom yourself to a higher percentage of off-the-wall weirdies and it's as solid a collection as any other in the series. ~ Dave Thompson, All Music Guide