While the Friendly Noise has steadily been releasing a series of lovely, understated albums by electronic pop experimenters over the years, in 2007 they took an interesting move to the Net where over the course of the year they released a series of one-off singles as free mp3s for regular site visitors. Covering all their bands plus a few friends and guests, an abridged collection of all the singles received a formal release in 2008 as
Splendid Isolation, functioning as a handy label compilation, the third Friendly Noise has released, as well as a good overview of an enjoyable project. Sequenced out of chronological order "to make the record sound as good as possible," as the liner notes indicate, it starts with a brief instrumental from Peter Jackson, "Bognor Regis," before
Viktor Sjoberg's "(Jack) Lullaby" brings in rough and ready breakbeats to spike up the energy -- though at almost nine minutes it admittedly wears out its welcome a bit early. From there
Splendid Isolation makes its generally good way like any other compilation showing both highlights and less striking moments from a wider roster.
Most Valuable Players get an early winner in with "Rondo," as classic a Scandinavian indie pop number run through a calm glitch filter as could be imagined (right down to the wordless backing vocals), while VED's
Durutti Column-goes-mid-'80s funk "Stratoscope" and Redmalm's demi-industrial collage "The Bravest Person I Know" also stand out. Meanwhile, a fascinating cover surfaces courtesy of Flow Flux Clan, who rework the later
Walker Brothers number "Shut Out" into a perky early-'80s synth song; in comparison, the
Radio Dept.'s take on the
Go-Betweens' "Bachelor Kisses" is a charming keyboard-led reworking but not quite as striking, though it's certainly a fantastic tribute to the sadly departed
Grant McLennan. ~ Ned Raggett