Dim Mak Sampler 2003

They Say...

Review by Heather Phares, All Music Guide

More cleverly crafted than your average label compilation, Dim Mak 2003 Sampler takes the listener through the spectrum of the imprint's roster, displaying just how diverse a label Dim Mak really is along the way. The collection begins with more avant offerings like the fiery punk-funk of Dance Disaster Movement's "I Want Your Sass," the anarchic silliness of Die Monitr Batss' "Spread Your Leg," and Miracle Chosuke's cranked-up "Gonk," as well as fierce, post-riot grrrl punk like the Gossip's oversaturated "Non Non Non" and Phantom Pregnancies' short and screechy "Delicacy 80." The Panthers' "Don't Be a Dick" and "Liquid Courage" by Pretty Girls Make Graves (who recently moved to Matador) add a dose of emo and hardcore-inflected rock to the proceedings, while From Monument to Masses' "Untitled (Stepping Razor 1st Mix)" -- the sampler's midpoint -- goes in a completely different direction than anything before or after it. Based on a simple, pretty guitar figure; a skittering drum pattern; vibes; and political spoken-word samples, the song is much closer to Mogwai or Godspeed You Black Emperor! than any of their labelmates. The second half of Dim Mak 2003 Sampler features the garagey bands that the label is better-known for, such as the Kills' gritty but playful cover of Beefheart's "Dropout Boogie" from their Black Rooster EP and new signing Tokyo Sex Destruction's defiant, MC5-influenced "Break-out Town." Revved-up Midwestern and Motor City rock also gets its share of the spotlight with the menacing sonics of the Von Bondies' "Please Please Man" and the Soledad Brothers' live version of "Goin' Back to Memphis." But even within their signature style, Dim Mak still offers some surprises, such as the porch-front blues of Mr. David Viner's "Drinking" and the shiny arena rock of Bluebird's "Falling Back to Earth," which, with its chugging guitars and cheesy lyrics, is miles away from where the collection began. Eclectic but not to the point of sounding scattered, Dim Mak 2003 Sampler does a good job of presenting the label's new artists and veteran acts in a logical and very listenable way.