Barsuk Records released a political fundraising comp last year called Future Soundtrack for America. At first glance, the track listing looks almost too eclectic. It includes the avant-garde pop of David Byrne and They Might Be Giants, the pop-punk of Jimmy Eat World and Blink-182, the alt-folk of Bright Eyes and Elliott Smith, the Americana leanings of the Old 97s and Laura Cantrell, the novelty of Tom Waits, and that’s less than half of the 22 tracks. I was intrigued and unsure at the same time. Was this just a grab-bag of any artists they could get to support the cause or was it a well-planned comp? As it turns out, it’s the latter. The album hops from track to track (and genre to genre) with smart transitions that result in a record united by much more than just a common political cause. It’s good enough that a die-hard Democrat-hater should be able to pick it up and put the politics aside, because it benefits the cause of good music as much if not more than it benefits the cause of its politics.
Key tracks:
- David Byrne – “Ain’t Got So Far to Go”
This one is quirky enough to have the clear stamp of Byrne’s work, yet has enough pop sense that it could easily get radio play. - Death Cab for Cutie – “This Temporary Life”
I’m beginning to think Death Cab does no wrong. This is just another example of perfect indie rock. - Blink-182 – “I Miss You”
Of all the tracks on the album, this is the one I was least looking forward to, but Blink surprised me with something that sounds nothing like their regular pop-punk silliness. They pull off a peculiar little indie gem here. - They Might Be Giants – “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too”
As usual, TMBG manage to be way out there and incredibly infectious at the same time. - Laura Cantrell – “Sam Stone”
Cantrell sings this John Prine classic with conviction that make it still ring true today.