Various Artists - Tales From the Asphalt Dancefloor

Tales From the Asphalt Dancefloor is a curious release; the debut release of the Vodka Tonic Media label based in Tempe, AZ is a six-track compilation of various bands from the Grand Canyon State's (apparently) formidable musical underground. A preface to the tracklist in the liner notes denies any association to a "dance-punk" scene, a welcome claim. Side A: Deconstruction Unit's previously unreleased "Come On Feel It" opens the disc with near-violent synthesizers and shouted Nick Cave-ish vocals. A good track, though repetitive and partial to its drumbeat. "Petunia" is a more ambitious number, courtesy of Scottsdale's Blanche Davidian. The song owes a lot to Gang of Four--slicing guitar work and manic post-punk yelping--it's excellent, and though it's from 2002 it wouldn't sound out of place in 1979. Sex For Cigarettes' "Boom Stomp Crash" is another that's about a quarter of a decade past its prime. Scott Nelson's vocals sound way British, while the track is some combo of new wave and garage rock. Side B: Some kind of sinister, gothic industrial influence permeates Digital Leather's "Dance 'Til Dead," a track that wouldn't be out of place between Theoretical Girls and Suicide. A rough, demented listen it is, though totally dependent on your frame of mind. Billy Druid's Atomic Gospel is a solo effort, with the group's namesake playing all the instruments on the recording of "Carpe Nocturne." There's some kind of an epic sweep in this song, and something else that makes me want to say he's channeling The Fall. Finally, "Fuck Pain" ends the all-too-short EP, a product of Tempe duo The Cutters. This one's got dual male/female vocals and a pretty cool synth line over the simple boop-bap of the drums. Very German-sounding, I think. Tales From the Asphalt Dancefloor is a nice little introduction to some bands in an area of the country which most people don't tend to recognize as any kind of musical hotbed. Though we're left wondering, why only six songs? [www.vodkatonicmedia.com]