Metropak – The Singles Collection

The late 70s spawned a vastly varied pool of talent within the UK, one hotbed of which was undoubtedly Edinburgh. From here came Metropak, four lads and two ladies with a desire to join the newly spawned new-wave/post punk scene, and in their all-too-short career they released three singles, collected here to avoid the obligatory eBay price-raising frenzy; three singles which have stood the test of time remarkably well.

Their sound is a fragmented and yet melodically coherent one, staccato drumming and psychedelia-infused organ grounded by pleasantly atonal vocals to create seven songs that evoke the creativity of the time with an abundance of flair to match. Their evolution throughout their three-year career is plainly evident, from also-rans to a band that seemed brimming with potential, thus cementing the disappointment that they did not last to craft a wider berth of material. [David Bowes]