When the
Skep Wax label (aka
Amelia and
Rob) put together the first volume of
Under the Bridge, it served as a reminder that some of the great bands of the
Sarah Records era didn't just fade away, many of them were still going strong in new bands, or in a few cases, like the
Hit Parade,
St. Christopher, and
the Orchids, the same bands. It wasn't pure nostalgia, and it didn't pander to the past -- each and every band involved sounded as good as they did back in the day, playing and singing with all the tenderness, melodic grace, and sonic invention as ever. It should come as no surprise that both the label and the bands involved wanted to give it another go, and
Under the Bridge, Vol. 2 is just as much fun as the first go-round. Many of the same groups are here to testify to their continued relevance.
The Orchids sound suitably epic on the melancholy jangle of "The Final Love Song,"
Catenary Wires display their usual sweetness and light on the show tune-like ballad "Alone Tonight," and
Secret Shine operate their pedals with elan as they show the new breed how it's done on "Captivate This Broken Love." Quite a few of the groups made up of former members of
Sarah bands are back as well.
Tufthunter shine on the stately indie pop number "Chemistry," which features the always brilliant
Jessica Griffin on vocals;
Sepiasound twinkle and shimmer ("June in Her Eyes");
Jetstream Pony raise a joyful noise pop ruckus ("Look Alive!'), and
Useless Users once again prove weird and wonderful on the synthy art rocker "In This, The House of the Solitary Bees." A couple more original
Sarah acts contribute this time out to let people know they're still making some glorious noise.
Action Painting! impress with "Just Who Are the Cockleshell Heroes?," a sparky mod pop song that sounds like it was made by whippersnappers, not old-timers.
Boyracer, too, sound about 18 or so on their thundering, wandering entry "Unknown Frequencies." Not to be outdone, members of
the Sea Urchins,
Field Mice, and
Fourteen Iced Bears all contribute songs, each of them a delight.
Mystic Village is a psychedelic folk collective featuring
Robert Cooksey of
Sea Urchins and their "Open Your eyes" is lovely;
the Gentle Spring is
Michael Hiscock of
the Field Mice and "Dodge the Rain" is exactly as sad and blue as one would hope;
Robert Sekula of
Fourteen Iced Bears delivers the achingly wistful noise-pop weeper "Pamela," and while it might be the most backward-looking track on the collection, it's impossible to resist its winsome charms. The same can be said for every track here, and while one might understandably feel a small tug of nostalgia while surveying the artists involved and digging in for the first time, just like on the first volume those feelings are swept away in a tide of brilliant songs performed with just the right mix of happiness and melancholy. In other words, it's exactly what
Sarah used to do, and the passing of time can't dim the talents of the people involved. Thanks to
Skep Wax for making it happen again, and thanks to all the bands for helping keep the indie pop flame alight in a small, perfect way. ~ Tim Sendra
