Deep Elm's roster is one of those special exceptions. It's rather easy to sit back and call each and every one of their bands "indie rock" to some extent; but unfortunately the shortcut-taker, "indie rock" is just as wide a style as any other right now. It covers entirely too many ways of experimenting with traditional rock styles to actually grasp a real idea. Their 2004 sampler, number five for those counting at home, featuring all Deep Elm bands on tour this year, is not only a solid hour-plus collection of songs, but hell, it's free. There're a lot of direct comparisons that can be made – but for the most part, it's not quite bands that are commonly copped. Surrounded sounds a lot like Sleep Station, with the soothing vocals under effects, and a pretty string orchestra creating a beautiful environment on "On Top of the World." Although these following bands have been around just about the same length of time, Desert City Soundtrack's pair of songs came off to me kind of like Murder By Death; a slight western feel put to an even more original sound. Let's just selfishly acknowledge Eyeball's great contributions to the scene for a moment. Anyway, "Blindfold the Leaves," by Settlefish, has spoken word parts definitely reminiscent of Brazil's ripping-off-At-the-Drive-In style, while a patch of half-yelled-half-spoken vocals at the 1:30 mark in their "Scream At Horizons" contribution sounds like Daryl Palumbo might pull off. Ex-June Spirit vocalist Ian Musgrove sounds more like Matt Pryor than he ever did singing for Fire Divine (see: beginning of "Smoke and Mirrors"). Actually, "Reputation Outlives Application," the following song, sounds like the Get Up Kids too, just maybe with a bit of semi-screamed vocals, and lots of dynamic parts with a more rocking feel – a formula that I was actually quite enjoying. As for Burns Out Bright, they should call "Our Proudest Moments" "Our Predictable Moments;" it's entirely too easy to tap along to a structure as simple that song establishes. Lock and Key's "2nd Quarter Broken" sounds like early PMFS without the screams at times (and better production) – which is a nice changeup in the constant cycle of ripping off that style we've witnessed the past few years. There's a nice amount of tunes, several of which are on unreleased/upcoming albums, and a majority of which are good or above. So whether you pay $2/3 for the shipping of the actual CD or download it as a benefit in the $39.99 a month cable modem bill, it's wholeheartedly recommended. MP3s / TRACKLISTING
01. Sounds Like Violence – You Give Me Heartattacks
02. Sounds Like Violence – Cry, Oh Cry!
03. Fire Divine – Smoke and Mirrors
04. Fire Divine – Reputation Outlives Application
05. Burns Out Bright – Crowded Streets…
06. Burns Out Bright – Our Proudest Moments
07. Lock And Key – Independence Game
08. Lock And Key – 2nd Quarter Broken
09. Desert City Soundtrack – My Hell
10. Desert City Soundtrack – Drowning Horses
11. Slowride – Smoking Cigarettes
12. Slowride – Panther 1
13. Red Animal War – Satellites
14. Red Animal War – Riot
15. Settlefish – Blindfold the Leaves
16. Settlefish – Scream At Horizons
17. Surrounded – On Top of the World
18. Surrounded – Better Not Be So
19. Benton Falls – Trial and Terror
20. Benton Falls – Bitter By Choice