New York Noise [Import]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 2003)
• Original Release Date: June 30, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Soul Jazz
• ASIN: B00009OYSE
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,214 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Optimo

2. Baby Dee

3. Do Dada

4. Reduction

5. Wawa

6. 5:30

7. Beat Bop

8. Contort Yourself

9. Lesson No. 1 for Electric Guitar

10. Button Up

11. Clean on Your Bean No. 1

12. You Got Me

13. Can't Be Funky

14. Helen Fordsdale

15. You Make No Sense

16. Defunkt

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A testament to a unique music scene, May 2, 2009

By 

Simone Oltolina (Morbio Inferiore, TI Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New York Noise (Audio CD)

I'm not in the habit of reviewing compilations but this one is so good, it deserves an exception.

Over the years, there have been countless music 'scenes', some alive and kicking to this day. One of my favourites was the short-lived "disco not disco" scene which came to life in downtown NYC between the end of the '70s and the early '80s.

In truth `Disco not disco' is just one of the many names used to describe a style that was about genre-bending, mixing punk, funk, disco and, above all, a no-wave sensibility which clearly marks the music as a product of Downtown NYC.

`Punk-funk' is another label which has some currency, just like `Mutant Disco' (incidentally, this is the title of another excellent compilation devoted to the same scene and published by Ze Records, which was sort of the `flaghsip label' for the genre).

What makes this short period of time so fascinaning is the 'scene' element: artists mingling with musicians (in fact, many bands were started by artists, one notable example being Gray, founded by Basquiat and Vincent Gallo), fashion, zines, shops and places (the legendary Mudd club, for one)... In short, many elements and people from different fields collaborating and adhering to the same (or at least, similar) aesthetics and lifestyle.

But I don't mean to take away the focus from the music, which is excellent. Here you have the cream of the crop, the artists that really defined the genre: Liquid Liquid, ESG (still active), the impossibly-cool James Chance, Bush Tetras, Glen Branca (Lesson no. 1, which came before his magmum opus `The Ascension' is perhaps my favourite track here although different from the rest as the disco element is completely absent), DNA (which are closer to the original no wave genre but still manage to be included in the selection), etc.

Many tracks here have a danceable feel, although this is not what the mainstream-dancefloor was having at the time. Singing is reduced to nervous yelps, there is a lot of dissonance (no wave, anyone?) and the use of the bass, something I'm very fond of, is best described as `frantic'.

Lovely compiled by Soul Jazz Records, perhaps the best reissue label out there, New York Noise is an outstanding testament to a fantastic music scene, echoes of which are still influencing people, ranging from Liars to The Rapture.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great compilation, September 16, 2003

By 

Jose Luis Olivares (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New York Noise (Audio CD)

Of all the CDs in 2003, New York influenced my taste in music the most. While a bit pricey, New York Noise is a fantastic compilation of post-punk and early 80s tunes that still sound rockin' today. Featuring songs from Liquid Liquid, ESG, the Bloods, DNA, Theoretical Girls, and an amazing Glenn Branca song, this CD opened up a whole world of great bands I didn't realize existed. Perhaps the only downfall of this CD is the 10 minute rap song by K Rob; luckily, the other songs are catchy, creative, and hip. If you're a fan of bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs or The Rapture and are looking to broaden your music horizons, you'll love this CD.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars solid british comp, December 26, 2005

By 

Sick On You (Seattle, Wa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New York Noise (Audio CD)

I was a bit disappointed that Teenage Jesus and the Jerks were not included in New York Noise, but, despite their absence, the album sounded quite good. This cd's insert was packed with photos and information on the bands and No Wave.