Various Artists - The NME Soundtrack Of Your Summer 2005

This weekend’s Various post takes a look back at the noughties when the music industry was beginning to show the cracks of product over expectations. As with most bands of every decade, they either get seams of inspiration that are mined to maximum effect, or there is the others who just plod along using the same formula to make hits. All music publications were keen to produce sampler CD’s and as seemed to be the norm, good bands were mixed with also rans. Today we’re taking a peek at the new look NME who featured a free summer CD with tracks from Arcade Fire, Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys, Editors, BRMC and Maximo Park, amongst others. Now, according to a 2005 poll in the magazine, amazingly 2005 was the greatest summer ever for live music. So the NME rounded up the bands that made it so on one amazing free CD. Aren’t we the lucky ones…I don’t know what your thoughts are on these CD’s but I always found them an interesting listen, opening the door to some new and upcoming bands, and sometimes with rare tracks by your favourite band at the time. Finally though, we get the hacks choice as the blurb indicates what they think we should all be listening to…Also featured on the ‘Soundtrack Of Your Summer’ is a rare live version of The Rakes’ ’22 Grand Job’ featuring members of Bloc Party, Maximo Park and Towers Of London. The song was recorded at the Carling Weekend: Reading Festival. Whatever!!