Xtra Mile High Club Vol. 3
Xtra Mile is an independent label that hosts material from the likes of Frank Turner and Sophie Madeleine, and also recently announced the signing of Against Me!.
The third volume of their Xtra Mile High Club does well to promote the label's diversity, including Turner, Franz Nicolay, Game Day Regulars and Dave Hause.
Fans of the label and its artists will love this collection, featuring re-recorded versions of tracks, previously unreleased material and previews of upcoming albums.
It's on the softer moments that the collection excels, Franz Nicolay's 'This Is Not A Pipe' standing out in particular.
More labels should offer collections in a similar vein, as Hopeless Records did.
Not only will fans of the likes of Frank Turner pick this up (it contains an exclusive acoustic version of 'Redemption' from his latest album), but those tempted by the stream online will discover lots of new artists.
Game Day Regulars cement themselves as an exciting, punk-influenced act that sees the label sticking to its roots (Reuben and post-hardcore band Million Dead were signed to Xtra Mile).
With projects like The Revival Tour, the lines between punk and folk are already becoming blurred, as evidenced by country/folk-influenced songs like 'Send Me The Hell Back Home' (The Retrospective Soundtrack Players) fitting just as well as the phenomenal 'Ambertown' (Crazy Arm).
The latter proves that this band have all the skills and energy to become a much bigger name, and it's great that this collection is giving them more exposure.
Turner's 'Redemption' is a tender moment, whilst Chris-TT's 'A Whole Full of Submarines' shows more of an edge, and is one of the better tracks on here.
'Tour Blog' (Beans On Toast's contribution) is what we've come to expect from the hoarse, rough-voiced singer-songwriter, but will definitely whet the appetite for his upcoming third album.
The louder moments aren't just limited to purely punk-influenced tunes, with Stero Decade showing great stadium rock-ambitions with the stunning 'Not Much To Do Abroad'.
Xtra Mile Recordings have created a perfect way to not only promote their artists, but give back to the fans with this great collection.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge