Band-kits : A Collection of Music From Denton, Texas ca. 2000

1. The Hypno-Fiction (THE FALCON PROJECT)
2. War Whistle (UNION CAMP)
3. Cloud Machine (WIRING PRANK)
4. Wrath You (THE BAPTIST GENERALS)
5. Pull The Wool (THE MEAT HELMETS)
6. Marching Band (LO-FI CHORUS)
7. Beautiful Now (COALS TO NEWCASTLE)
8. Millenium Madness (MONKEYTOWN)
9. Longhorn Motel (BUDAPEST ONE)
10. Scuffed (SLOBBERBONE)
11. Meow (JET SCREAMER)
12. My, My (CENTRO-MATIC)
13. Absolution Is Mine (LITTLE GRIZZLY)
14. Court of Last Resort (TITAN BRIGIDA)
15. Here and Leaving (MANDARIN)
16. Denton Girls (CORN MO)
17. Red Streak on White Ice (STUMP TONE)

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

No Brave Combo in sight...........2001-09-27

That having been said, let me also say that this is also a really great compilation and that it manages to showcase some of the best bands that Denton has to offer. Denton may indeed be a "sleepy, college town" but it also has one of the most vibrant musical scenes to be found anywhere! The Denton scene may not be filled with "brand names" but it is composed of talented musicians who truly love music and its that love for music that comes across so wonderfully on this CD.

The producers have done a good job of compiling an eclectic collection of different styles and approaches. All of these bands can stand alone on the basis of their own unique talent but at the same time, their songs manage to come together to create a coherent, enjoyable listening experience. This is one of the few Denton compilation disks not to include at least one song from Denton's best known band Brave Combo. No offense meant to the Combo (who are hardly unworthy of the praise they've recieved) but their presence is not missed as room is wisely made for bands with just as much talent but far less grammy nods.

Amongst the many bands featured on this compilation, standouts include the punk rock/country stylings of Slobberbone and Low-Fi Chorus as well as the always fascinating Jon "Corn Mo" Cunningham who is one of those artists whose music makes you want to find someway to live in his brain as its probably a much more interesting place than the real world. Budapest One, fronted by the amazing Keith Killoren, shows us what it would sound like if Buddy Holly became a street preacher. (Basically, it would rock.)

This compilation, however, earns its fifth star for including the Meat Helments, one of the six hundred or so bands fronted by Denton musical genius John Freeman (who, along with being a genius, is a pretty cool guy to boot). Anything that Freeman does is worth listening to, no matter what name he might be recording under this week. Its impossible to properly describe Freeman's genius in just words. It has to be heard and even if I hated every other song on this disk, I'd recommend it just for the chance to help Freeman get the wider exposure he deserves.

For the past few decades, people have been wondering how much longer it would be until Denton finally managed to break through onto the national scene. Well, to be honest, that probably won't ever happen. The Denton musical community, fortunately for us, is quite simply too laid back to sell out to the degree necessary to get on MTV. Its this vibe that comes through on this disk and makes it such a wonderful example of what my former hometown has to offer.

Music: