Various Artists (Thee SPC) A Box Of Odd

While Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation has gained quite a reputation for a string of excellent 7" singles, this 12-track compilation marks its first foray into the full-length market. A Box Of Odd features two recordings from six different Sheffield-area bands, all of whom ply their trade in the surf/garage-rock genre.

Beachbuggy are the only genuinely internation band represented here - they've already released two Steve Albini-produced LPs on Poptones, and one on US label Sympathy For The Record Industry - and, as their two contributions quite clearly demonstrate, their relative fame probably isn't the result of a coincidence. But while Deathray and The Driver certainly shine brighter than any of the other material on display, they're certainly not the only worthwhile offerings here.

Make You Mine, The Motherfuckers' first slice of Doors-meets-Nuggets garage-rock, provides the compilation with a memorable, hook-laden start. In fact, it's probably the most infectious tune on the whole album. G.G. Action's Dirty Girl is a close second in those stakes, but sadly fails to stand up to anything more than two or three plays. Texas Pete's Superhero Stomp - a jangly ode to Batman et al - proves that this charismatic live band can deliver the goods on record. Elsewhere, Chuck (clearly the black sheep of TSPC family) get aggressive on Kill 'Em All while The Special Agents manage to pull off a couple of outstanding organ-drenched instrumentals, the best of which is Our Man On Mars.

There are definite lulls in the action (although I won't name names, I share a city with these artists after all) but, crucially, each band turns in at least one solid performance.

The limited range of the music on offer is perhaps A Box Of Odd's biggest single flaw. Although each band adds its own unique spin to the surf-rock formula, a few of the genre's trademark features (those jangly one-note guitar runs, in particular) do begin to grate after a while. As a result, after one or two sittings, I found myself listening to the odd individual track rather than the album as a whole.

Nevertheless, I haven't heard many label samplers in recent months that can match A Box Of Odd in terms of quality. In simple terms, the good definitely outweighs the bad here. At only £6, you could certainly do a lot worse for your money, particularly if you're a surf-rock aficionado or a resident of Sheffield. And if you fall into both categories? Please tell me you have this record already...