Various Artists - Chilling, Thrilling Hooks And Haunted Harmonies: The Big Stir Records Halloween Grimoire [2LP Green]

Chilling, Thrilling Hooks and Haunted Harmonies collects nineteen songs and twenty artists from the Big Stir Records roster, pressed on eerie green vinyl in a fold-out sleeve that transforms into an actual playable board game.

Big Stir has built its reputation on power pop and pop-leaning indie rock played without frills, with catchy choruses up front, and this Halloween compilation is an opportunity for the label to have some sincere fun with its own house style rather than abandon it. No one here is trying to create a real horror atmosphere, but rather writing perfectly serviceable pop songs about monsters, ghouls and space, which turns out to be a much better joke than a serious spooky atmosphere would have been. The range remains broader than expected, folk-horror textures and gothic post-punk rubbing shoulders with the straight-ahead jangle the label is known for.

Librarians with Hickeys contributes Ghoul You Want, all hooks and no real threat, exactly as it should be. Sparkle*Jets U.K. brings Eyeball Eater (From Outer Space), which fully adheres to its own absurd premise without ever winking too hard. Splitsville rounds out the list with the kind of pure power pop songwriting that keeps the entire compilation cohesive despite its scattered cast.

Two dozen groups, a shared sense of humor and a board game hidden in the cover. Halloween records are rarely played again after October. This one just might be.