In short, pretty good. Certainly a more than decent representation of each artist involved, and as an assembly of local artists, really indicative of local output, at least in the indie scene. Office’s “Nobody Knows You” kicks it off with pure indie-pop glee; here, the band sounds more Shins-like than ever before, lacking the hipster coolness of the previous endeavor “Oh My” but developing a newer, more confident and mature sound. Walter Meego’s dance mania is tempered with “One Five,” a more mid-tempo, atmospheric song than what we’re used to from the band, but a decent electronics-tinged addition to the comp. Ill Eagle’s “Monkey Business” is an aggressive, powerful hip-hop piece, one of the record’s most affecting and memorable. Netherfriends does hipster drum-circle with “Nunya (Beeswax),” sort of a blend of Animal Collective and a more flaky Arcade Fire, if that’s your thing. Braid man Bob Nanna keeps the electric guitars and emo harmonies aflame with “St. George vs. The Dragon,” which gives the comp a needed kick in the middle. The Dials’ following track, “Bloodsucker,” helps further the argument that the band is one of Chicago’s best. Maps & Atlases continue to warp your brain with the intricately assembled “Witch.” Mike Kinsella’s Owen offers “One of These Days,” another gorgeous assembly of whispery acoustic indie-folk. Notably, other than in a few choices (Bumpus’ “Work It Out,” A Friend Called Fire’s “This Grace”), “Chompilation” succeeds admirably, especially for a comp that spreads itself out over so many separate genres. (Tom Lynch)
Record Store Day 2020: A One-Off—or the New Normal? Record Store Day makes me anxious. As soon as the list is posted, I worry about flippers and records selling-out. Yet, this year, I could be in the moment.
Cool Aid: A Review of Situation Chicago 2 The album does an outstanding job of bringing home the staggering sonic and stylistic range we deny ourselves when we return too often to the same genre well.
