Customer Reviews

Barsuk Records: 2009 Amazon Digital Sampler

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to give it to Amazon and Barsuk-this is great-no kidding.

From the fine start by Ra Ra Riot on "Ghosts Under Rocks" which includes a kickin' groove layered with beautiful "Eleanor Rigby-ish" strings, floating, flying, cruising backing vocals and lyrics meant to pay attention to, all the way to the >mix< on "Pushover" which is amazing-up front vocal and clean and punchy track to go along with it-this is great.

John Vanderslice, "White Dove"; very good stuff.

"Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh" by Say Hi - great horn section intro-there is some true imagination and creativity shown here. Cool slap-back vocal juxtaposed against the horns. Someone actually put some thought into this production, plucky guitar and all.

"Wet & Rusting" and "My Only Offer" also excellent. I could go on...

Get this now-every cut has something to offer-this may be the best freebie in the genre that Amazon has ever put up-big props to Barsuk-beautiful.

Briley

I have never reviewed anything I've purchased from Amazon ,but this was the best Item I have ever gotten for free I absolutely Love Ra Ra Riot and most of the other bands I have searched out to purchase their full albums.

Awesome bands (Mates of State, Death Cab) and new discoveries (specifically Ra Ra Riot and Menomena) - great song choices - thanks for the freebie.

I can't believe this was free. Most of the songs are amazing, especially Wet and Rusting, Pushover, My Only Offer, and Ghosts Under Rocks. They're so good in fact, that they're some of my most played songs. And check out Ra Ra Riot's whole album- good stuff! Thanks Barsuk and Amazon!

Every track on this sampler is worth listening to. All tracks would probably be encompassed in the broad "alternative" domain, though styles differ significantly. Say Hi's track start's out with the sound reminiscent of tropical jungle, while Vive Voce's track has a full powerful feel to it. And frankly, every track is worth it here.

The several tracks go very well together. All meet my main criteria for what I enjoy - the music is musical and harmonious, the lyrics are tuneful and understandable, the arrangements are interesting and engaging. Beyond that, it is creative, a bit different, and mostly mellow - it progressively gets less alt-ish and more rock-ish. It's not harsh or angry or overdriven; nor is it pop-ish - it's very, very good. Against all my other music I rated all the tracks 4 stars (I reserve 5 stars for my eternal favorites, and 3 stars means I don't hate it and I might play it sometimes when I'm bored).

Awesome sampler cd! Every song is great! And it's free! How can you go wrong?

Sometimes free stuff is just code for "unwanted stuff." Not so with Barsuk Records' excellent sampler. These are some of my favorite artists, and favorite songs, from Ra Ra Riot's gorgeous symphonic "Ghost Under Rocks" to Viva Voce's sexy, gritty and ethereal "When Planets Collide." I applaud Barsuk for giving us this amazing sampler for free!

Not that every track should be good or everything given for FREE, but this label (Barsuk) put together some tracks that mix well and sound good. Some are definitely better than others, but I feel like they made a conscious effort to offer some real value in this sampler giveaway. On that alone I will look at other artist offerings from Barsuk Records.

R

I'm grogging on this sampler and writing a review before I've even listened to all the songs--premature elation! Don't hesitate--just hit the download button--you won't be disappointed.