V/A- RedjMusic Sweet 16 Compilation

Artist: Various

Album Title: RedjMusic Sweet 16 Compilation
 
Label: RedjMusic (BMI)
 
Genre: Indie/Various
 
Website: www.reverbnation.com/julescohen

Where to purchase: paypal ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Reviewer: Scott Sweet
 
Date: 7-10-11
 
 
 
Per label founder Jules Cohen: "Over the years, RedjMusic(BMI) has gigged, met through shows, written and interviewed some of the most talented artists you know and should know."[...]"Proceeds of this project go to: the artists and to Gurutej's daughter's Leukemia care."
 
To reduce costs, Cohen offers a zip file with printable liner notes.  Sleepmask's "Choose That Girl" and "Inside a World" are smooth tech-pop in the vein of Cause and Effect or Depeche Mode.  Glasspool follows suit with "Temperamental Journey".  Project Mercury brings melodic femme folk with "Funhouse of Mirrors".  Twelve A.M. Flowers showcases folk-pop melancholy with "Hush Paranoia", and Exploding Boy's "London" is mighty good post-punk. 
 
Grave Concerns chief Julie Johnson helps Black Wedding fill the dancefloor with "Control (Stripped Mix)" and Monica Richards kicks some dark rock butt with "Into My Own".  Anna Dagmar weaves a spell of piano and voice on "Brown Trees".  Ending the Vicious Cycle harkens to Joy Division with "Touch Dispelled", while Gompson makes the case for alt-country on "Signal Me".  Mako lends indie rock a sinister edge for "Lost in Translation".  Spiritease (featuring Jules Cohen) outdoes They Might Be Giants on "Mr. Funny Teacher Man".  Jenn Vix puts the EBM in, well, EBM with "Pretty Knives".  Cohen also sticks a pin in Halloween chic with "Gibberland".
 
Compilations highlight artists we might otherwise miss, AND this one is for a good cause.  I guarantee this Sweet Sixteen party beats the ones shown on MTV.