(various), Potatoes: A Collection of Folk Songs from Ralph Records (side A)

Potatoes is a clever idea for a label sampler—instead of assembling a set of overly disparate material, the label asked all of the bands to contribute covers of folk songs.  The results are typically recognizable in structure and melody, even as the timbre and arrangement choices tend to be fairly radical.  It can be hard to tell one band from another without carefully reading the liner notes.  The songs usually combine slightly processed acoustic instruments, unrecognizable sounds, and radically manipulated vocals to assemble an arrangement of a song with an overtly traditional core.  Song choices come from many parts of the world, including Venezuela and Japan.  The front cover is funny and recognizable, though Negativland's name is spelled incorrectly here (it is right on the back).  While slightly murky, the recordings generally seem competent in quality.