A Sampler With Songs Worth Repeated Listening, March 18, 2009
By Lance G. Augustine (The Midwest, USA) – See all my reviews
You never know what to expect from a lot of Indie record labels, but Bar/None Records offers an above-average sampler of some of their best artists with songs that take you on a journey of many moods and atmospheres. I believe that, while some songs may not blow you away on first listen, several appear to have a lot of depth to them and deserve some time to grow on you…some are definitely growing on me.
It starts off with a couple of short, upbeat pop pieces…Irish band Oppenheimer’s "Look Up" uses an electro pop approach and multiple vocals for it’s catchy number. It certainly has a unique but interesting melody that I find myself liking more each time I listen. Hot Lava’s somewhat bizarre, 60’s influenced, garage-style "Apple+Option+Fire" is really the only song that doesn’t seem like it’s going to do anything for me, and it’s very difficult to hear the vocals clearly. But things get better…
Greg Camp, former guitarist for Smash Mouth, brings a New Wave Vibe to "Cat’s Game", and while it’s not necessarily instantly-likeable, it’s well-produced and I’ll give it a little more time to sink in. The next song, "Blue Always Find Me", from Hotel Lights, did grab me from the very first listen. Darren Jessee, who used to write and play drums for Ben Folds Five, delivers an impressive, laid-back vocal performance and uses guitars to create a beautiful, ambient soundscape on this gem…this one’s definitely going to be a permanent fixture in my mp3 player.
The 60’s and 70’s influenced The Starling Electric’s "Black Ghost/Black Girl" is a garage rocker that also manages to be pleasantly melodic as well…another keeper.
One of this sampler’s most intriguing tracks has to be Shannon McArdle’s "Poison My Cup". Its low-energy, personal and reflective nature doesn’t have a lot of changes from both a musical and melodic standpoint, but that hasn’t stopped me from playing it over and over. It’s the polar opposite of a "feel-good" song (and be prepared for an "F" word), but this one’s not getting deleted from my media player any time soon.
The now-defunct 80’s post-punk band The Individuals’ "Our World" is included, and it has a carefree, ‘light’ pop flavor but below-average recording quality, and I’d classify this as skip-able…however, I could see how this could have an audience.
This sampler ends on a very strong note with Luka Bloom’s "Don’t Be Afraid Of The Light…". The Irish folk singer-songwriter delivers a moving performance that excels on every level…from the vibrant "electro-acoustic" guitar strumming, the intricate piano work, excellent string arrangement and ‘airy’ background vocals, to the passionate lead vocal of a beautiful melody and lyrics to a great job of production, this one really stands out…befitting for a sampler that, for the most part, stands out as well.