Customer Reviews

Anti Sampler Fall 2009

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is by far the best sampler that Amazon has ever offered, and it is free. I would definately buy this compilation of songs. Some of the highlights for me are Neko Case's "Magpie to the Morning", Booker T's cover of Outkast's "Hey Ya", and the new single from The Swell Season, "In These Arms". But really all the songs are great, and it has a great mood for the Fall.

I saw the Swell Season perform on the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien and was throughly impressed by there performance. Seeing them featured on this sampler and being open to trying new artists, I have this free download a try. Speaking on my own taste of music, I didn't quite care for the music here, while I expected tunes at a slower pace, these songs all sounded the same and lacked any real dynamic.

This is a pretty focused sampler, so you have to like the style of music to make it worthwhile to give this a try. It is very indie/slow/simple/acoustic/folky/etc for the most part. Having said that, it is a good selection of that music and it is free.

A couple track specific comments:

The Swell Season - In These Arms : This track was a slow start for me, but when the extra vocals kick in it is quite beautiful.

Os Mutantes - Teclar : I'm not a fan of Os Mutantes, this track really didn't change that. It's fine for what it is, not my thing.

Alec Ounsworth : Too folky for me.

Dead Man's Bones : Starts great. Like an oldies version of a Jonathon Coulton song with a children's chorus. But has a long/annoying chant/cheer ending.

Joe Henry - The Man I Keep Hid : Very jazzy, horns. Fantastic. It actually kind of reminds me of a song on the BtVS musical.

Sollilaquists of Sound - Look : This track is great. Very upbeat, great vocals, pretty, varied with a blend of rap/horns/etc.

Booker T. - Hey Ya : This is an instrumental cover of the Outkast song. I prefer the original, but this is still good.

I'm only going to end up keeping about 4 of the 12 tracks, but I'm still giving this 4 stars because it's free, and the songs I am keeping are pretty great.

Although I do not know most of the artists -- only Booker T -- I found most of the tacks most enjoyable and certinally more than worth the price -- free.

I cannot account for the taste of others or lack of it. I find this to be an extremely enjoyable collection of songs. Whoever compiled these songs, kudos and thanks.

I gave this one a high rating because as far as "Samplers" go - it serves its purpose by providing a tight and well thought out compilation highlighting the best of what the label has to offer. With that said, I did not personally enjoy this sampler because this style isn't my cup of tea. However, for someone who enjoys alternative music with a bluegrass/folk slant, this will certainly entertain.

It was the presence of Joe Henry and the Swell Season that captured my interest in this sampler--and what a collection it is! Just a terrific batch of songs, and at an unbeatable price! (Gotta love free...)

I came here for the Neko Case song, but its $.99. I saw this described as a Free Sampler, not a "some of the songs are free, some are not" sampler. What's up?

I was really disappointed in this sampler. One play and it was off to Delete land.