Various Artists - Sounds of the Geographically Challenged
(Temporary Residence)
Temporary Residence proclaims their new compilation, Sound of the
Geographically Challenged, to be one of the 2% of compilations that don't
suck (that 2% seems a little high to me). Unfortunately, it does not
deliver on that promise. There are definitely several good songs, but
the biggest hitters here end up striking out, and, like most compilations,
this collection has little replay value. The CD compiles a four volume
series of 12"s (only three of which were released) featuring bands who are
"Geographically Challenged," i.e., the band members live far apart.
On my first listen to this CD, I suffered from severe impatience. There
was only one song I wanted to hear: Continental OP! Continental OP? Yes,
Continental OP, the combination of David Pajo and Will Oldham. Only a handful
of seconds into the lead track, a pretty decent Retsin song, my fast forward
finger started to itch, and I proceeded to what was sure to be the best song
in the history of music, or, at least, of one-off collaborations. But this
song was a huge disappointment. Pajo produces a pretty tame keyboard
soundscape to which Oldham adds strained, spoken vocals--one of the worst
songs by either artist.
My heart broken after years of knowing about the song and never hearing it,
I advanced to sure bet number two, The For Carnation's near eleven minute
contribution. Boom bat, boom boom bat, over and over again, the song gives the
lead to the drums with simple bass flowing beside it and keyboard
ornamentation. Much like Shellac's "Didn't We Deserve a Look at You the Way
You Really Are," this song can be difficult to sit through but is ultimately
successful at creating tension, although The For Carnation's epic is a bit less
confrontational than Shellac's.
Songs: Ohia seemed like another sure bet, but their contribution also falls
a bit flat. Molina's heart and lyrics alone make his music worthwhile, but
his music is only great when he breaks the traditional mold of
singer/songwriter by incorporating guest and backing musicians. That said,
he is entirely in the singer/songwriter mold here, and with the song's
almost nonexistent instrumentation, Molina's contribution is also a bit of a
letdown.
The highlight of the compilation comes from an unlikely source, The Halifax
Pier, whose debut self-titled album failed to make much of an impression on
me. The band uses the swaying orchestral folk of the Dirty Three combined
with pop vocals, not as lush and textured as the recent The Lofty Pillars
album but with similar ends. I'll definitely give their album another chance.
Sounds of the Geographically Challenged is a good compilation; let me be clear
on that. Almost every band here is good, and most contribute decent, new
songs. However, like almost every other compilation, Sounds of the
Geographically Challenged fails to be a good album.
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