I don't pretend to be objective about VBM releases. The truth is, label owner Jeff Cloud and I apparently have similar tastes in music. Two of my favorite bands--The Smiths and Red House Painters--are also two of his favorites. And, let me assure you, he doesn't pay me to say nice things about his releases. He just happens to have a great ear for independent music. Once again on the 12 Song Sampler he proves his prowess at recognizing great talent.
The disc opens with the gentle guitar pop of Fine China's "Your Amy." Next comes the noise pop wonder of Bloomsday with "Suddenly June," a cut from the brilliant Bloomsday EP released earlier this year. Jetenderpaul follows with "Cavalcade," a previously unreleased gem from these future kings of pop.
One of my favorite cuts on the disc is the Pony Express tune "Stocks and Bonds." It possesses all the qualities that I love in those Pony X tunes: Cloud's whispered vocals and subtle guitar work, Jason Martin's brush-style drumming and those aching, longing lyrics. I think I've listened to this song about a thousand times since I got the disc and I still love it. (I know it looks like I'm doing some major kissing up here...but, it is all true.)
The Lassie Foundation makes an appearance next with their fluffy, noisy "Laid With Cool." "Long live the king" indeed. One of the best Rainbow Rider cuts, "Majesty" follows.
Boy Wonder UK is the first non-VBM band to appear on the disc. Their (his?) song "Glide" wavers between soft understated verses and cacophonous interludes.
Another brilliant cut, perhaps my favorite, is provided by LN--formerly Love Neptune. The haunting "Hovering Around Your Room" features a simple shimmering keyboard or guitar-with-effects loop-type musical accompaniment to the vocalist's soft brooding vocals. Lovely.
Bon Voyage, newly signed to BEC Recordings, provides another pop masterpiece with "Caribbean Sea." I can't wait to hear a full length album from Julie and Jason.
A Jupiter James cut from the Called As Paul album is next called "The Bomb." It features a wailing harmonica courtesy of Jason Martin and that signature retro hard rocking sound.
Transatlantic provides something of a surprise with their "Hello Summer." Made up of ex-members of Luxury, the song exhibits a droning synthetic background with synth flourishes and euro-pop style vocals. Not at all what you would expect from former members of a band noted for their guitar-oriented sound.
In A Lonely Place closes the disc, as they did on The Future Is Blue compilation, with "This Pain." This cut doesn't exhibit the same near-industrial quality of the "Iceland" cut from Future, but it is nevertheless as haunting.
Okay, so I'm not very objective. But, I believe there is something on this disc for everyone to love and VBM is practically giving it away. What have you got to lose?
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Shari LloydI'm not usually fond of compilations. The groups I like, I already own, and the rest are usually disappointing. Velvet Blue Music is an exception: very interesting music from mostly unknown artists that offers something for everybody. Techno, rockabilly, progressive, alternative, Velvet Blue covers today's music scene. I already own the Bloomsday and the Lassie Foundation projects. After hearing…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Linda T. StonehockerNationwide radio airplay is difficult for interesting music and impossible for Christian innovators. Compilations are gaining prominence as an inexpensive alternative. Velvet Blue Music plays like an all-music hour of programming, not a bad way to stay "current." 3 tocks
