New CD Reviews of...
Future Soundtrack For America
Various Artists, Barsuk Records
By Kiki Alexander
The appeal of Future Soundtrack For America might not actually be the initial motivation in making the record (whose profits go solely to “non-profit progressive organizations”) but the many bands and artists that hold it together with twenty-two rare, previously un-released, and exclusive recordings. The album rises on the adorably charming, This Will Be Our Year by OK Go—a track that makes you want to grab the person next to you and start jumping around while setting on the late Elliott Smith’s melancholy, A Distorted Reality Is Now A Necessity To Be Free which somehow seems incredibly fitting and perfect. Future Soundtrack feels like a big party where Indie heroes (R.E.M., Tom Waits) and Indie newbies (Nada Surf, Death Cab For Cutie, Bright Eyes) have come together to create the ultimate compilation CD.
Like a fragile fifteen-year-old girl this record has mood-swings. The biggest of which is definitely the unexpected rap track Money recorded by Will. I. Am. Of The Black Eyed Peas. It just feels out of place in the middle of such entertaining quirkiness but if you can learn to appreciate the oddly poignant lyrics on this track, you’ll be able to forgive the sudden shock, eventually…especially after The Flaming Lips hilarious live, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.
To be honest, saving our future doesn’t exactly seem the foremost point within the songs but you catch the vibe after a few spins around the CD player. So make yourself feel a little more virtuous, buy this record, save our imminently self-inflicted future, boost your self-esteem and oh yeah, while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out Blink-182’s sugary sweet remix of I Miss You.
Now if only all tasks on the unwritten human checklist were as easy to accomplish.