?Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind? offers a comprehensive look at the early works of Vashti Bunyan. As advertised, the double disc collection consists of singles and demos recorded both before and after Bunyan?s fateful meeting with Rolling Stones manager and producer Andrew Loog Oldham. Some songs are certainly stronger than others, but all offer an interesting picture of Bunyan?s music.

The first disc encapsulates the years 1965 to 1967. Really, the only contribution from 1965 is the Decca single featuring ?Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind? and ?I Want To Be Alone.? These two songs are bombastic tunes that scream mid-Sixties British pop. Following that are the various singles and demos Bunyan recorded in 1966 and 1967. Really, these are the strongest to be found anywhere in the collection. In particular, tracks like ?Winter Is Blue? and ?I?d Like to Walk Around In Your Mind? are well-orchestrated, folky pop tunes. Also, there are a few demos featuring only voice and guitar, such as ?Wishwanderer,? that come across just as strongly as the tracks with fuller arrangements.

Consisting of a 1964 demo tape, the second disc has a spare, wistful quality largely absent in the first disc. Some songs from the previous disc repeat on the second and there is a remarkable difference in these separate versions. It is immediately obvious that Bunyan matured greatly as an artist in a few years time. Unfortunately, the older tracks lack the snap found in the later recordings and are simply not as exciting to hear. This is not to say they are bad, but they simply suffer by comparison.

Any collection of singles, demos, and other odds and ends is bound to have its ups and downs and ?Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind? is no exception. However, Bunyan?s songwriting skill is ever-present and there is a wealth of powerful material to enjoy. Really, just hearing the evolution of the music across the collection is rewarding. Any fan of Vashti Bunyan will be more than happy to hear the music in this collection. 8/10 -- Matt Blackall (7 November, 2007)