Blimey - seems like I'm handing out a lot of criticism in the last few reviews this month - let's hope Leeds laddos On the Bone can turn things around with the release of their label curtain raising compilation.

Featuring 19 tracks all by artists who have played at the 'On the Bone' gig nights, this compilation is pretty much what you would expect from local promoters with a much broader world view. There are the worthy local bands who do a good job, play to twenty of their mates every time they have a gig but are never going to get any further. There are those who are jumping on the latest NME bandwagon for their sound. There are those who jumped on the NME bandwagon a few years back but have since been chucked off again. And there are those precious acts who transcend current trends and the local fixation with a Leeds 'Scene' to knock out some of the finest tunes around. But it's a testament to the work that Tom and James have put in that 13 of the acts allowed them to use unreleased material.

First up - it is worth pointing out that this is a guitar album. Admittedly this includes the full spectrum of axe sounds from Monster Killed By Lazer's machine gun delivery of doom prog metal 'Zombi' style to Ben Wetherill's impish folk ditty ' He Rolled her to the Wall'. But there is no room for any electro or even new wave. Which is the Boners' prerogative (and in fact a pretty telling summation of musical tastes in Leeds at the moment). The most techy thing that occurs on the whole album is a bt of a drum pattern by worriedaboutsatan, but even this is wrapped in a post rock quilt.

Gravitas is supplied by the likes of The Somatics and The Scaramanaga Six. Cool as fuckness is supplied by That Fucking Tank, even if their track 'Lands and Body Cool Off' is already two years old. And whimsical beauty is maintained as ever by the magnificent Champion Kickboxer. So go on, it's only a fiver, why not treat yourself.

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