Various Artists
Seen Unseen (A Benefit For The Evergreen Center For Street Youth)
(2001)
Reviewed by Ken Mueller
In a music industry overflowing in mediocrity, Todd Brown's Absalom Recordings is a little slice of heaven. Based out of Toronto, Absalom exists to give true artists a chance to breathe and get their music in the hands of an appreciative public. The Seen/Unseen compilation disc consists of fifteen cuts from a wide variety of indie artists, and is a benefit album for The Evergreen Center for Street Youth in Toronto.
The wonderful thing about this disc is that every song fits and every song works, from beginning to end. The biggest names on the album include 16 Horsepower, Joe Henry, Giant Sand, Frank Black and the Catholics, and Over the Rhine. Many of the songs have appeared before on the artists' own albums, while some are heard here for the first time, and even others are alternative mixes of previously released recordings.
Among the lesser known artists appearing here are the Mississippi based band, Kelly Wingate, Denver's The Czars, 16 Horsepower cousin The Denver Gentleman, and drone outfit Charity Empressa. The music here explores a variety of genres from folk to quirky rock, but there is a flow that rarely exists on compilation CDs. And there isn't a weak moment on the disc.
If you're the type of person who likes to experiment and experience new music, by all means get a copy of this disc. You will benefit by hearing some great tunes by some unsung artists, and you'll be helping a great cause.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Josh SpencerIt usually doesn't even matter to me what the music sounds like when compilations totally for charity come out like this. It's an opportunity to give to those in need (which I'd much rather do than give to the fattened cow of a church, any day). For the street kids of Vancouver, Absalom Recordings has done something remarkable and unique: they've gathered Christian and non-Christian musicians…
