Ranging from sweetest melody to raging noise, songwriting remains a constant on Flush After use, the indie compilation on Cheapskate, the new Springroll Creative Entertainment Agency label.
Sideshow Judy's Pauline Chong shows her best side with the crystalline pop of two lovelorn songs, Tell Her and We Don't Talk Anymore. Intensely melodic, you are not prepared when Stoned Revivals deepen the melodic groove further with their penchant for atmospheric mood pop.
Over and Me recall the passionate mood pop of Prefab Sprout and Over even attempts an ambitious trumpet arrangement. Meanwhile, Seberynic's Violet Eyeliner and Cloud 9 are heartfelt pop ballads while The Mother's The Girl I Once Knew and End Of the World bring back '80s new wave.
For sheer songwriting and attempts at varied arrangments, Flush After Use is a good, non-disposable record. The pop bands win hands down this time. Their songs were shocking for sheer strong melodies.
- Philip Cheah (BigO February 1997)
Flow's blistering grung changes the mood with Dearest and their Smashing Pumpkins' - influenced Blinded. The ghost of Nirvana appears on Dog's Nation's angst-filled You, Me & Lies but they surprise on the ska flavoured War. While 4 Sides' Basic is classic hardcore, Dream Of Tomorrow is more varied, first coming across as melodic rock before the rage bursts through.
