I was fishing around in a box of vinyl albums I found in the attic that hailed from a time when people still thought that digital watches were a neat idea and I came across a load of those ghastly Now That’s What I Call Music compilation albums.

It struck me that the idea of a compilation album is a weird concept, one that sees a cheek by jowl mix of musicians who would not normally bother to make eye contact if they were sitting at the same table. It also made me think about what if there was such a thing as a compilation novel – the best bits of literature presented as a complete work.

It might be set in Second World War Greece when an Italian, mandolin playing artillery captain wakes up to find that he has turned into a beetle. Mrs Bennet then decides that he is no longer a suitable husband for Little Nell and in revenge for this slight he sets fire to the library of Gormenghast castle. Heathcliff cries out “The horror, the horror”, the White Whale drags Frodo under the water, as he slowly comes to a stark realisation... He loved Big Brother.

Have I just created a new literary concept? Hopefully not.

Anyway enough nonsense and cut to the chase.

Those of you who haven’t made it to Womad and so have missed the chance to catch Tibetan punk bands, Colombian jazz fusion outfits, Nepalese Hip-Hop crews and of course Billy Bragg (probably) can console yourselves with a couple of local festivals featuring bands with more pronounceable names.

Firstly, running Friday to Sunday, Festival on The Farm takes place in the grounds of Purton House Organics and features a great mix of covers and original music, solo artists and full bands and everything from funky soul to heavy rock.

Alternatively, on Saturday, The Stratton Stroll has its usual musical meander around the pubs of that area. Six venues, 20 artists, one great day.

In both cases check the website for times and line-ups. There are far too many for me to detail here but rest assured there is something for everyone. I suppose festivals are a bit like compilation albums or are they boxed sets… sorry, I won’t start that again.

So, back in the regular haunts – there is still a lot of great music to be had. Two-piece neo-grunge outfit Boss Cloth have an EP launch tonight at The Victoria where they are joined by high-energy doom bass and drums outfit Skin Horse (see the connection yet?). Opening the night is Sea Mammal, a swirling, experimental duo (how about now?) from the people who brought you Babies vs. Rabies.

The other end of the spectrum is being catered for at The Beehive, with Skins and Strings who play wonderful blends of table drum beats and pastoral acoustic guitar lines.

On Friday, The Victoria hosts its regular Bands and Burlesque night with music from old school rock and rollers Josie and The Outlaw and at The Beehive it’s Teddy White Lite, all the usual best of blues, beats and boogie from yesteryear presented as an acoustic set.

At The Rolleston, Lily B plays acoustic covers from Joni Mitchell to Aerosmith and from KT Tunstall to Pink.

If the idea of two top of their game, international psychobilly bands gets your musical juices flowing then The Rolleston on Saturday is the place to be.

Hailing from Hamilton New Zealand and London, respectively, The Doppelgangers and The Moonshine Stalkers both have a reputation for wild, energetic shows that fuse old time rockabilly with punk sensibilities.

Acoustic music is provided in both quantity and quality as The GW Acoustic session celebrates its first birthday. Playing the night is Ells and The Southern Wild, Charlie Ann, Jimmy Moore, The Wires, Andrew Paul Davis and Who Cares? Also on offer is a tribute to U2 at The Victoria.

Rounding the musical working week off on Wednesday is Billy Bingham at the Roaring Donkey; delicate threads of acoustic guitar overlaid with heartfelt, honest lyrics, perfect music for a warm summer evening.

All about... Heading Into Land: THe Sons

From the title of their new album, Heading Into Land, to the video of the album’s first release, Death, Love, Money, The Sons seem taken with the idea of a life on the ocean waves.

Though don’t expect that theme to spill into their music stylistically – this is no cliched collection of piratanical plagiarism or buccaneering balderdash.

The one nautical tune, the title track and album swan song is deliberately obtuse with the themes at hand. No, what you have here is something far more worthy.

A collection of songs about the everyday hardships, hopes, dashed dreams and kitchen sink drama in the style of some of the quirky greats of underground pop.

The same lack of adherence to fashion can be found here that you would find with Squeeze and Crowded House – it’s probably why their songs have lasted so long. And so should these.

Not everything has to push genre boundaries, cater to hipster cool or need to storm the cultural and social barricades.

Sometimes it is enough to write well-meaning, sensitive songs, original enough to have their own identity, recognisable enough in style to be immediately accessible.

And if Flash and Bang is tugging at the shirt tails of Elvis Costello, songs such as We See Stars and Hard Life just seems to exist in there own gentle and genteel world. The band are going to appeal to a slightly older audience, one that has lived a bit, undergone a few of the trials and tribulations encountered in these songs.

But that’s fine, those sleeve tattooed chaps with their overly complex hair, Hoxton lumberjack chic and penchant for drinking out of jam jars have had it their own way for too long in my opinion. Break out the sensible shoes, it’s time for a swift half.