The brainchild of "it-boy" Pete Yorn and his gaggle of high profile musician friends, Trampoline Records celebrates its second anniversary as an outpost for the high-profile and the hidden-from-view with this compilation, which features unreleased material from heavyweights and debuts from unknowns and unheards. Standouts include alt-country critical darlings Nadine, a charming ballad from Michael Miller, some pedal steel swagger from Morello and an oddity -- the recorded debut of actress Minnie Driver. "Everything In My Pocket" is a disarmingly sweet pocket symphony set to feature on Driver's debut album -- yes, a full-length is on the way! -- due in 2004. She has a lovely voice and boasts a back-up band of A-list major label swingers, so it'll be interesting to see if the lush sound on display here will be butchered for broader consumption. Like any label comp, Greatest Hits Vol. II is only as strong as its weakest act, but the varied styles of the Trampoline Records roster make for a genuinely enjoyable listen.
-- Mike Baker Splendid Magazine
SOUNDTRACK TO A CITY
At first listen, this CD sounds like the same artist, perhaps due to the overall bluesy, indie-rock mood. More listens make obvious however that this is almost like the soundtrack to a city. A general feeling prevails amongst all its occupants, yet still with some individual triumphs, losses, dreams, and obstacles.
Kip Boardman - "The Bottom Line".
Perfect way to start the album. A whimsical, humorous song of love and forgiveness. Great to sing to.
Nadine - "Different Kind of Heartache".
This heartbreaker song decently captures a rainy day in the city mood. Good buildup vocally in the chorus.
Fleshpot - "God's Country Girl".
This listful tune has an airy feel to it. Decent tune for driving...out along the farmlands and mountains...in Pennsylvania...away from the nuts. I'm sorry, I'm still a little freaked about the incident with the pizza delivery boy up there, especially since I am currently a pizza delivery boy at the time that I write this.
The Few - "Blue Eyes".
A faster and slightly heavier song. A continuous riff with one of two accompanying riffs leading up to the vocal and emotional peak and then bringing it back down.
Liz Phair - "Don't Apologize".
A raw, hard-edged, mid-tempo rocker with some razor-tipped riffs. Gutsy femme fatale.
Dan Wilson - "All Kinds".
The first song with crisp-clear vocals. Wall of sound production and even a lyrical tribute (although briefly) to The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses". Testament to why there was some critical acclaim for his band, Semisonic.
Buva - "Daydream".
A great piece of work that perfectly captures suburban boredom and angst. The opening line of "Jerk offs wanna know" should immediately grab anyone's attention and the snide vocals perfectly capture the mood.
Flotilla - "This Year's Clown".
Good wobbly affects and attentive, yet shy guitar solo accompany light-hearted instrumentals with somewhat pessimistic lyrics.
Chris Stills - "About a Girl".
Acoustic, mandolin-driven love song. Backing vocals are lovely and the lyrics at times seem a bit clich , but the melodies of the vocals and instruments cause Chris to sound so sincere, you don't care if a river of love overflowing isn't the most original imagery.
Pete Yorn - "I Feel Good Again"
Classic, groovy-blues rocker. The kind that makes you wanna "try, ohh gonna try" to sidestep, strum, and twirl around with your guitar in a parking lot for a plethora of kids and homeless people.
The Freemasons - "30 Below"
A "what if" type song with a sort of remorse for the past and optimism for the future. Moving out West and having trouble saying goodbye even as you look towards a new chapter in your life. Decent song for anyone who's doing the same. Perhaps 30 Below is in reference to age and seizing the day before it's too late.
Minnie Driver - "Everything in my Pocket"
Ethereal love song recalls Sarah McChlaclan mixed with a touch of Bjork maybe. Enchanting piano, violin, and percussion lines perfectly accent Minnie's lush vocals and guitar lines.
Michael Miller - "Lover I Know"
Cautiously beginning with a small wobbly riff and Michael's wispy voice, shy lyrics, gaining confidence with each use of the ever-so popular, sing-along of "na, na na na na, na na na na na" into an orchestra with bass, cello, and drums before ending on a solo vocal line before laying down to sleep.
The Wallflowers - "Too Late for Goodbyes"
Though no longer as popular as they were, The Wallflowers retain what made them famous to begin with. Jakob Dylan's soulful vocals are still top-notch and the band's folksy sound gets experimental with organs on this cover of a Julian Lennon song.
Jonny Polanski - "Even the Oxen"
Killer, mid-tempo bass and drum lines with apologetic riffs with Jonny's sad, yet observant voice and lyrics build up into a cathartic electrified chorus and cries of "Here comes the wave of disappointment". One of the best tracks on the compilation.
Morello - "Turnaround"
Morello is really studio whiz, Malcolm Cross. You wouldn't know it from listening to this track. Though he doesn't deserve full credit for this track as this folksy-orchestral slice of heaven does have the help of some musicians in the studio. A sunny track that captures exquisite beauty.
Waz - "Wait Another Sunday"
Pleasant, intimate acoustic song with a dose of pop-sensibility. Some orchestral elements, but the acoustic guitar is always up-front in this gentle love song.
Jukebox Junkies - "Raised by Rock and Roll"
Another lush, ethereal love song, albeit with more instruments and sounds used. However, sometimes the whole overshadows the vocals. Good effort though.
-- Mr. Huh? rocknworld.com
EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE
As it turns out, Trampoline Records is a label owned by Pete Yorn, Rami Jaffee of the Wallflowers, and Marc Dauer. Hence, the overall musical stylings of this Vol. II album are all orchestrated around their type of music accordingly. The compilation opens with Kip Boardmans catchy 'The Bottom Line' and carries on through with 'All Kinds', a touching song from Dan Wilson (Semisonic), Pete Yorn's blusey stomp 'I Feel Good Again' and a cover of the laid-back Julian Lennon song, 'Too Late For Goodbyes' done by The Wallflowers themselves. Sprinkled liberably in-between are Liz Phair's 'Don't Apologize', 'Even the Oxen' from Jonny Polonsky and actress Minnie Driver's melancholy ballad 'Everything in My Pocket.'
-- Anne Carlini Exclusive Magazine
THE BEST HOUR OF RADIO YOU'LL NEVER HEAR
L.A. all-stars and also-rans celebrate rock's vintage sound.
Something's missing from those dreamy, tousled-hair magazine photos of Pete Yorn--his halo. First, he released two of the best mainstream rock albums since Tom Petty wizened; now he wants to share the glory with every deserving indie-pop band in the L.A. basin. Yorn and his Trampoline partners--including Wallflowers keyboardist Rami Jaffee--have compiled 18 tracks that should hang the head of every A&R exec in the music business. It's the best hour of radio you'll never hear. Chris Stills is Rufus Wainwright without the whiny rehab vibes, and actress Minnie Driver, in a track from her forthcoming debut, adds an earthy edge to Sarah McLachlan's misty romanticism. And the Wallflowers lend extra clout, as Jakob Dylan leads a rock-legend-offspring tango with Julian Lennon's 1985 hit "Too Late For Goodbyes." Halos all around.
-- Karen Schoemer Blender Magazine (January)
HITS ON YOUR OWN PERSONAL RADIO STATION
The title is something of a wry joke, as the 18 songs compiled here are all new. And it's unlikely that any of them will become a hit on a radio station near you. But they will become hits on your own personal radio station if you're the type who wonders whatever happened to the great rock music you grew up with in the 1970s and maybe the early-'80s. Well-known artists like the Wallflowers, Liz Phair, and Pete Yorn - a co-owner of the label with Rami Jaffee of the Wallflowers - share disk space with a host of new,lesser-known but no less deserving bands who variously build upon the traditions originally laid down by the likes of The Band, Neil Young, the Grateful Dead, Tom Petty and the Rolling Stones.
-- Seth Rogovoy Berkshire Eagle
A GIFT TO US HUNGRY MUSIC MANIACS
Trampoline Records are together with Aware Records the best and most interesting record-companies around these days. Rami Jaffee of The Wallflowers, Marc Dauer of Jukebox Junkies and Pete Yorn founded Trampoline Records and they're releasing full-length albums with artists and bands from the Midwest, powerpop and melodic rock scene like the Hang Ups and Nadine. What they've done more is that they've released two compilations with both signed and unsigned bands. A gift from Trampoline Records to us "hungry music maniacs" that are searching for new and great music to explore. On this new compilation the label delivers 18 tracks from all kind of artists. Sure, all 18 tracks aren't great but the main part on here are pure melodic heaven. And the thing is... I HAVEN'T HEARD HALF OF THEM BEFORE!... The music flood of good music will never end.
So whom of these 18 tracks should I give an extra medal? Well--the unreleased Wallflowers track--the cover of Julian Lennons "Too Late For Goodbyes" is of course good. The new discovery Waz is something for all you guys who adore Gus, Brian Vander Ark and the new generation of well-produced singer songwriters and the new track from former Semisonic vocalist Dan Wilson is sensational. His forthcoming album will be a complete ecstasy when it comes out next year. What else... Well have you ever heard of BUVA? No I didn't think so. He's a very cool discovery though and a wet dream for all you Jason Falkner/Jellyfish freaks out there... And the new Chris Stills track sounds very interesting with a James Taylor 70's flirt. Minnie Driver is a girl I have to buy a full-length album of. Her tune "Everything In My Pocket" is modern singer songwriter pop on a very high level. Beautiful stuff! Jonny Polonsky have we not heard from for quite a while, but Trampoline have dug him out from his cave and presents a clever and damn cool poptune from the cool Polonsky man and finally the just mentioned Waz, that perhaps is the coolest discovery on the album. What a helluva tune the former guitarplayer from Pete Yorn's band delivers! And finally a new Jukebox Junkies tune... Hundred handclaps to Trampoline Records for their cool way of being and for bringing us this new collection of cool bands and songs. Buy it now folks.
-- Par melodic.net
WELL WRITTEN, FUN SONGS, WELL-DESERVING ARTISTS
Singer/songwriters were sort of a dying breed over the last few years. Generally thought of as guys and girls with acoustic guitars ripping off Simon and Garfunkel songs, can you really blame anyone for considering them a dying breed?
Reports of their demise were premature.
Trampoline Records, a small indie label owned in part by Pete Yorn and Rami Jaffee of the Wallflowers, is dedicated to reviving the genre and pushing it forward, eliminating the Simon and Garfunkle cliches and breaking new ground. Artists like Yorn and the Wallflowers have been doing this for a few years now, and the label's second compilation release is a showcase for these artists.
Well-produced, and sounding like a collection of Counting Crows, Tom Petty, and Neil Young songs, Greatest Hits, Vol. II is a nice sampler of what this label has to offer. Highlights include Dan Wilson's "All Kinds" and The Few's "Blue Eyes." The album also features Liz Phair, who takes the opportunity to show everyone that she hasn't lost her touch for writing good rock songs, and actress Minnie Driver checks in with "Everything in My Pocket," a surprisingly good tune.
The Wallflowers and Pete Yorn also make appearances here, but it's the less established acts that really shine. Whereas label compilations are generally throwaway promo discs, this one is packed full of well written, fun songs, by artists well-deserving of some recognition.
More rock and roll than folk, Greatest Hits, Vol. II is a good introduction to the burgeoning singer/songwriter scene.
-- Andrew Bunnell Oregon Music Guide
THIS ALBUM IS ABOUT SONGWRITERS
When Trampoline Records Greatest Hits Volume II arrived on my desk the question to my co-editor that begged to be asked was, "Do you really want a compilation album reviewed or is this an early Christmas present to your laziest writer?" Well the answer was both as she said, "Why not? You might find some gems on there." It turns out she was right. The magic starts immediately with the beautiful roots music of Kip Boardman on the lead-off track "Bottom Line". The six-piece St. Louis rock outfit Nadine delivers perhaps the best of the bunch with the passionate and melodic "A Different Kind of Heartache". "Blue Eyes" by The Few bursts with rock and roll energy. The more well-known artists include Liz Phair, Pete Yorn (also producer and co-founder of Trampoline) The Wallflowers and the musical debut of actress Minnie Driver. Dan Wilson, lead singer of alternative rock band Semisonic, delivers the beautiful "All Kinds". ÊOn the other side of the spectrum we have lyrics like, "Jerk-offs one and all. They're the ones who should be on the wall. They're the ones who didn't bring a ball to the game. You're friends are so lame. Please forgive me if I'm not the same." These are the opening lines of Philadelphia native Buva's "Daydream", which is proof that this album is about songWRITERS. Flotilla adds "This Years Clown" to the mix, while Fleshpot supplies "God's Country Girl". In "About A Girl", Chris Stills' voice winks at Marshall Crenshaw. Co-executive producer Pete Yorn offers the Junior Kimbrough proclamation "I Feel Good Again". The Freemasons of Nashville share the same No Depression influence as Wilco and Uncle Tupelo before them. Michael Miller shares the contemplative "Lover I Know". The Wallflowers cover Julian Lennon's 1984 "Too Late for Goodbyes". Seven years after his American Recordings debut Jonny Polonsky performs the passionate Pete Yorn sounding "Even the Oxen". Morello is not Tom from Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave but Malcolm Cross, drummer of Minibar, and this Brit brings the blue-grass "Turnaround". Waz' "Wait Another Sunday", sounds like a six-year sidekick to Pete Yorn and nicely done I might say. The album closes with co-executive producer Marc "Doc" Dauer's Jukebox Junkies project and the song "Raised by Rock N Roll". This beautiful introspective song wraps up a great Christmas gift. Thanks to my co-editor Nikki and all the beautiful people at Bite Me. Give the gift of great music and check out the full-length releases by all of the artists on this collection. Read more at trampolinerecords.com.
-- Brendan McMahon Bite Me Zine!
ORGANIC ROOTS-ROCK COMPILATION
This organic roots-rock compilation, much like its preceding Vol. 1, exists to celebrate the evolving roster of the Hollywood-based Trampoline Records. The label is owned in part by Pete Yorn and Rami Jaffee of The Wallflowers and has been picking up steam since its formation last year. Not surprisingly, it has inherited material from major-label acts such as Liz Phair and has also generated previously-unreleased covers from Yorn and The Wallflowers. "Blue Eyes," an air-tight jingle from a quartet called The Few, stands out with shimmering style and displays their enthralling sound (which has been compared to The Replacements and Bright Eyes). Minnie Driver (like, the actress) also contributes a very impressive musical sonnet that cascades with pensive acoustic guitar and keys.
-- Dave Kargol Skratch Magazine
SERVE WITH: A SUMMER ROAD TRIP
Initial Impression:
Loved the hippie feel of the artwork.
Notable Lyric:
"Jerkoffs one and all. They're the ones that should be on the wall. They're the ones who didn't bring a ball to the game. Your friends are so lame. Please forgive me if I'm not the same." - "Daydream"
Factoid:
Minnie Driver has a song on this CD. Yes, that Minnie Driver (is there any other?).
Serve With:
A summer road trip.
Comments:
Aside from a handful of painfully slow moving tracks, this compilation is melodic and strangely upbeat. I found myself blaring it as I drove way too fast on Highway 29 (that's in Charlottesville for those unfamiliar) as a strange flying object smashed into my front end (thank god for my Little Tyke Vibe) and I ran over already-dead road kill which made a lovely crunching sound I felt compelled to share with you. But back to the disc -- It starts out on a fairly dull note with a singer/songwriter folk edge that gets temporarily kicked out with The Few's "Blue Eyes" and its punk-like vocals. For my money it's that track, along with Liz Phair's "Don't Apologize"; Buva's "Daydream"; Pete Yorn's "I Feel Good Again" which, stepping outside of his box, embraces the blues; Minnie Driver's beautifuly done "Everything in My Pocket"; Jonny Polonsky's "Even The Oxen"; and by far the best aspect, The Wallflowers' remake of Julian Lennon's "Too Late for Goodbyes". Rock the fuck on!!!
The way I figure, if you like more than one or two tunes on a compilation you're doing good. In this intance, you'll find it more likeable than not, and if you don't mind the extra-dreamy parts (Kip Boardman, Nadine, Fleshpot, Dan Wilson, Flotilla, Chris Stills, The Freemasons, Michael Miller, Morello, Waz and Jukebox Junkies) you're treated to some fun road pop (no, unfortunately not the drinkin kind -- In the words of the great and usually stoned Joe Walsh, "Don't drive home drunk, crawl home drunk!").
[Sidebar: A Flotilla is a name my family graces upon you if you're caught lounging around on a raft in the pool for an extended period of time.]
-- Kimmie Score! Music
IT DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS
It's official: the songwriter renaissance is in full effect. Not since the '70s has the world seen as much talent (and schlock) emerging from the guy/girl-with-a-guitar genre. Trampoline Records (founded by Pete Yorn, Marc Dauer [Jukebox Junkies] and Rami Jaffee [Wallflowers]) does an impeccable job of sifting through the detritus and distilling a near-perfect collection of 18 previously unreleased tracks from songwriters both known and not.
This compilation has enough big names to catch your attention (Liz Phair, Yorn, the Wallflowers), but it's the lesser known artists that will keep this disc spinning till it's gone platinum in your car stereo. Under-the-radar gems include "Blue Eyes" from LA's The Few--who sound a little like Bright Eyes minus all that self-indulgent wailing--and Buva's "Daydream," a poppy anthem with sweet, swelling harmonies that might've been written by a more appropriately medicated Elliott Smith. Jonny Polonsky channels Dave Grohl on "Even the Oxen," which rocks a little harder than the rest of the comp's emo-skewing tracks. Kip Boardman, Nadine, Flotilla and Chris Stills all turn in the kind of catchy, tight tunes that epitomize the introspective singer/songwriter style.
The Yorn and Wallflowers tracks are less than impressive, but the strength of the rest of the collection more than makes up for it. Especially notable are the heartbreakingly beautiful "All Kinds" from Semisonic's Dan Wilson and "Everything in my Pocket," an atmospheric, Air-esque offering from actress Minnie Driver (who knew?).
Bottom line: "Greatest Hits Volume II" is a record with no fat to trim. For fans of the melodic, well-crafted song, it doesn't get better than this. [3.5 stars]
-- Maya Kroth SignOnSanDiego
THOUGHTFUL, SENSITIVE AND LITERATE MODERN ROCK MUSIC
Trampoline is a label owned by Pete Yorn, Rami Jaffee of the Wallflowers and Marc Dauer. Unsurprisingly the artists on the second Trampoline collection fall into the same stylistic realm as Pete Yorn and the Wallflowers. Well-produced, sensitive rock inspired by classic American rock like Tom Petty and Neil Young and modern rock like Counting Crows and the Wallflowers. All the songs are exclusive to the collection and there isn't an obviously weak amongst them. The obscure bands like Buva, Flotilla and Waz turn in decent tunes. A couple of almost-were's (Chris Stills and Jonny Polonsky) make steps down the comeback trail, Stills' lilting "About a Girl" being a highlight of the disc. A couple of could-be's make their case convincingly, Michael Miller's "Lover I Know" is thoughtfully arranged and the guy has an angelic voice and Dan Wilson breaks away from Semisonic to get intimately epic on the dramatic "All Kinds". The only ones who turn in songs that are little more than pleasant filler are the label co-owners Pete Yorn's "I Feel Good Again" is a lo-fi blues stomp written by Junior Kimbrough and the Wallflowers do a passably ironic cover of Julian Lennon's "Too Late for Goodbyes". The disc holds a couple of pleasant surprises. Liz Phair's "Don't Apologize" scores points by being written and produced by Liz herself and by kicking some serious rock butt and actress Minnie Driver's "Everything in My Pocket" is a melancholy ballad pitched somewhere between Mazzy Star and Aimee Mann with lush strings and very nice restrained vocals from Driver. Trampoline's owners seem to have pretty good ears and some pretty talented friends. Any fan of Pete Yorn or the Wallflowers will find much to like here. As will anyone who enjoys thoughtful, sensitive and literate modern rock music.
-- Tim Sendra All Music Guide
BIG THUMBS UP
Talk about a killer compliation record. Yet, you wont recognize most of the bands on this cd, you will be sure glad you got the introduction here. Names you will recognize, Pete Yorn doing "I Feel Good Again", Waz (Pete Yorn's ex. Guitar player) adding his "Wait Another Sunday", The Wallflowers covering the Julian Lennon 80's hit "Too Late For Goodbyes", which is reason alone to pick up this cd, and for a second reason, actress, now musician Minnie Driver contributes a track called "Everything in my Pocket", which is pretty damn good. The balance of the cd fills out with tracks from Chris Stills, Fleshpot, Michael Miller, Dan Wilson, as well as a slew of others. We give this a big thumbs up!
-- Greg Alprin fullthrottlemusic.com
A CD YOU COULD JUST SIT BACK AND CHILL OUT TO
If somebody asked you, "Is Minnie Driver an actress or a musician," what would your answer be? Well, folks, the answer is both. Her musical talent is features on a compilation album from Trampoline Records, which is their Greatest Hits Vol. II.
The tracks on the album are pretty low-key and melodic; which is something you'd expect coming from someone out of the indie scene. So, if you want a CD you could just sit back and chill out to, pick up Trampoline Records: Greatest Hits Vol. II.
