Various Artists
Black & Blue Compilation
Reviewed by Jason Dodd
In the same spirit-collecting spirit of The Nashville Revolt Sampler from a couple years ago, VBM has released a 15-song comp featuring everything associated with the label, from Phaedo to Jetenderpaul to The Calicoes. Bon Voyage, of Mr. and Mrs. Jason Martin, make an appearance with "The Telephone" - a wistful melody-driven song accented by what sounds like a slide guitar. Reverse stands out with some driving New Wave. As does Denison Witmer with his honestly melancholy "You Got Me Good" - a striking showcase for the collaboration of voice and guitar. The Colemans show us their electric chick rock song "Show Me." And label-owner Cloud even shows off some of his psychedelic Euro-rock with "You're My Girl" by Pony Express. If you like creative rock and roll, one would be hard pressed to find a bad track on this disc. I hear it's only eight bucks, too.