Various Artists
Lowercase Records Compilation #2 - Musicians With Day Jobs
(1999)
Reviewed by Todd Ballard
This compilation is a peculiar blend of music. From the pop-alternative acoustic sounds of Stefan Mitosinka and Jessica Stephen to the edge of Upside Down Room and Till Seven Years..., Lower Case leaves the listener wondering just what type of label they are. They, like most labels that end up producing a smattering of good and bad music, will not be pigeon-holed by just signing one genre.
This Boy Loveless kicks off the compilation with a pop sound that gets the foot tapping. The comp lulls for two tracks before heading into the edgy and energetic Till Seven Years Pass Over Him (apparently a reference to the famous King of Babylon). This is a well produced live track with strong guitars balancing a straightforward singing style. The comp lulls again for several tracks until it finds a foothold in the punk style of Left Out. This track is much better than their previous single on the first Lower Case compilation.
The tracks on this comp vary, but they don't catch you off guard either. Although some of the music is interesting, there isn't really any new music featured here. For the most part, the bands featured aren't going to be quitting those day jobs anytime soon.
2 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Daren AllderSan Francisco independent label Lowercase brings us a second, broad-ranging sampler of artists they know, many of whom have albums and EPs on the label. Production and performance quality ranges from the surprisingly professional, given that these are all part-timers, to the unsurprisingly amateurish, given that these are early days for some of these acts. There are several high points among…
