Alternative Rock Compilations music reviews

The editors of No Depression magazine return with their second demonstration of music that fits under the "No Depression" umbrella. Some may equate "No Depression" with an alt.country universe that eschews familiar artists, but that notion is quickly dispelled by one look at this volume's roster. Though many of these acts are drawn from outside the commercial mainstream, many - Jay Farrar, Ryan Adams, and the Flatlanders to pick a few - have broken through from indieville to broader audiences. Others, such as Johnny Cash, Patty Loveless and Kieran Kane, are familiar from the Billboard country charts, and here they reiterate their bedrock commitments to honest, roots-oriented music.

Taking commercially successful artists under the tent isn't such a surprise if one considers that the phrase "No Depression" was lifted from the works of the Carter Family, one of country music's early mainstream successes. Still, as earthy, emotionally deep American music is pushed to the commercial margins, there's a dwindling number of chart-topping artists who've retained (or are willing to openly display) a connection to the music's roots. Patty Loveless is a thoughtful pick, as her tenure at the top of the country charts was always complemented by emotionally searing album tracks. Her "Mountain Soul" CD, from which this collection's "Sounds of Loneliness" was drawn, was equally inspired by the long-standing acoustic portion of her live set and the commercial resurgence that followed "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" And lest you think she's a bandwagon jumper, the track here revisits her first songwriting effort, written pre-fame in the early '70s at the age of 15.

As with the first volume of this set, editors Blackstock and Alden pull together a variety of sounds, all relating back to the deep well of sadness and ocean of longing that made up much of A.P. Carter's catalog. The songs range from the haunting fiddle of Loveless' "Sounds of Lonliness" to the old-timey sounds of Paul Burch's "I Am Here" to the gospel-flavored harmonies of Kieran Kane's take on the Carters' "Will You Miss Me" and REM-like modernity of Jay Farrar's "Station to Station."

Fans that've already soaked up the No Depression oeuvre will be happy to get their hands on a few rarities, including Farrar's track from the "ThirdShiftGrottoShack" EP, a Caitlin Cary/Ryan Adams duet previously issued on a limited edition 3" CD, and a rarity from The Flatlanders original early '70s sessions. It's ironic to review a CD that's raison d'être is to explain - in music - the last decade of writing in the magazine. So listen to the samples, grab yourself a copy, and use this CD (along with the editor's detailed song-by-song liner notes) as a roadmap to a rich musical universe. [©2006 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

I've loved WideAwake's music for years, but this album is incredible. I've had their CD in my car for months now, and while I take out and change all of the other ones I own, WideAwake's never gets old.
They have such a broad appeal to all ages and yet manage to stay up in the forefront of what's hot on the music scene - it's a gift that they have cultivated and used to the best of their talents.
Buy this album. You will never feel that you have wasted your money.

Okay, so I've been a fan of this band for the last four years. I own their first two cd's (Bigger Than Ourselves & Thread: Wideawake). With each cd they get better & better. I didnt think that it was possible. With the unique sound of Scott's voice, and the talent of the rest of the band there is no doubt in my mind that these guys are going straight to the top, and FAST.
Listening to them live takes their music to another level. You can tell that they feel the music, that it is a part of them. The lyrics can be deep (Stay, Misunderstood, Broken) or silly (She Likes Purple) but you are drawn in each time.
This cd is on a constant spin in my cd player, at work, at home, in the car. I cannot get enough of it.
I guarantee that no matter what genre of music you listen to you will find at least one song that you appreciate, enjoy, and are moved by. It will become a favorite.

This album isn't as strong as some of the others, mostly because the singles on the airwaves at the time were lacking in themselves. No talent hacks like Nina Sky and D12 were taking up valuable airtime and polluting our minds with crappy music. Thank god for 'Freek-a-Leek'! Ha, well, that's true in a way.

Petey Pablo delivers on 'Freek-a-Leek' and I'm glad for that. I can never get sick of that song. I prefer the unedited version, but that's just me. 'Hey Ya!' is way overplayed, 'My Band' just plain gets old (and if it weren't for Eminem no one would listen to the crap they call D12) and Jessica Simpson...I mean, do I need to say anything more? Beyonce gives us 'Naughty Girl' which is far better than her last offering, while Christina Milian finally makes it back with 'Dip it Low' and serves up a nice dirty track...far naughtier than Beyonce's.

Black Eyed Peas give us 'Hey Mama' and I like it, as I like Beenie Man's 'Dude' but the remainder of the rap is just plain crap. Chingy's slow jam is stupid and Juvinille should have quit the game after 'Back That Thang Up'.

Jo Jo is too young, well at least she was, and her song was kinda stupid. Britney actually gave me a song I thought was good, the first 30 times I heard it...but the whole controversy over the video got 'Everytime' so overexposed that I got sick of it. Everyonce in a while though it's nice to listen to. To know that she actually wrote this song herself is pretty neat too.

As far as the rock is concerned, well, Three Days Grace takes the crown again with Switchfoot and Yellowcard taking second and third, but whats up with Kravitz making his return to the 'Now!'? This song is crap. And Hoobastank...I've never liked this song, and I actually liked them until they released this song and everyone on the known universe went apecrap for it. It's not that good, it actually really sucks and I have no idea why anyone likes it. Plus, live these guys can't play or sing worth crap. HoobaSTANK is right. I will say that while I hated 'Heaven' when it was first released, after hearing it a billion times on the radio it's actually grown on me...just a little.

Finally we have Gretchen with what has to be one of the biggest songs ever. 'Redneck Woman' was so huge I had my sister who hates country music in any shape or form singing it. It's a great song, if not a little overplayed, but you have to hand to to Gretchen for being brilliant!

The album wasn't as good as I hoped or as bad as I thought. Some songs I was suprised that I liked because they were rap songs which I hate with a passion. But I would recommend this album to people who have an eclectic taste in music.

Anway here is a rundown of what my ratings would be for each song.
1."My Band" by Eminem and D12-4/5
2."Hey Ya" by Outakst-5/5
3."Naughty Girl" by Beyonce-3/5
4."Move Ya Body" by Nina Sky-3/5
5."Pop That Thing" by Christina Millen-1/5
6."Hey Mama" by The Black Eyed Peas-5/5
7."Dude" by Beennie Man-1/5
8."Freak A Lick" by Petey Pablo-5/5
9."Slow Motion" by Juvenile-3/5
10."Leave" by JoJo-1/5
11."One Call Away" by Chingy-3/5
12."Everytime" by Britney Spears-5/5
13.Take My Breath Away" by Jessica Simpson-2/5
14."The Reason" by Hoobastank-5/5
15."Where Are We Running" by Lenny Kravitz-2/5
16.Ocean Avenue" by Yellowcard-5/5
17."Just Like You" by Three Days Grace-4/5
18."Meant to Live" by Switchfoot-5/5
19"Heaven" by The Los Lonely Boys-3/5
20."Redneck Woman" by Gretchen Wilson

Penny Lane

Ideal for anyone who likes all or most of the following songs:

1. My Band - D12
2. Hey Ya! - Outkast
3. Naughty Girl - Beyonce
4. Move Ya Body - Nina Sky
5. Dip It Low - Christina Milan
6. Hey Mama - Black Eyed Peas
7. Dude - Beennie Man
8. Freek-A-Leek - Petey Pablo
9. Slow Motion - Juvenile
10. Leave (Get Out) - Jo Jo
11. One Call Away - Chingy
12. Everytime - Britney Spears
13. Take My Breath Away - Jessica Simpson
14. The Reason - Hoobastank
15. Where Are We Runnin'? - Lenny Kravitz
16. Ocean Avenue - Yellowcard
17. Just Like You - Three Days Grace
18. Meant To Live - Switchfoot
19. Heaven - Los Lonely Boys
20. Redneck Woman - Gretchen Wilson

Not recomended for anyone who doesn't like any of the above songs or who already owns all or most of the above songs individually.