Blank Dogs

Described as an incomplete representation of material recorded "prior to the increase in fidelity, under the hazy gauze of mystery and imperfect yet melodic noise," Collected is a compilation of Mike Sniper's ridiculously prolific Blank Dogs output. Featuring tracks lifted from long out-of-print singles, EPs, cassettes and compilations, this release was timed to coincide with a European tour, but really considering the inflating popularity of Blank Dogs and the Captured Tracks label, it could have arrived at any point. Having issued countless EPs and singles over this three-year span, it's remarkable Sniper kept it to just 27 tracks, but he's covered nice ground. Opting not to go chronologically, he starts with 2007's murky, Cure-baiting "Leaving The Light On," only to jump two years later to "Slow Room!" for the next track. Since Blank Dogs never underwent a sonic facelift until last year's Phrases EP, the slight shift from no-fidelity to lo-fidelity and back never jars the senses. Collected acts as a nice primer for anyone that caught on during the last couple of years, but with such a hefty does of ill recorded, cloudy post-punk, you're better off listening to each side independently.