Rift has heard a lot of great local music during the last two years, so we decided it was time to create a compilation, called, cleverly enough, the Rift CD Compilation Volume 1. We opened it up for competition and of the 61 local bands that entered, 20 made the cut; votes were cast by a group of writers and fans. The compilation is an eclectic mix of songs, mostly acoustic, some electronic and a few heavy. We'd like to have had more entries by hip-hop artists and women; we're hoping that'll happen with Volume 2. You can listen to all the entries here.
1. Gawker Slowdown, "Wildfires" MP3
Gawker Slowdown is the home recording project of Eric Kalenze. His songs flow with a smooth, emotional undercurrent and would easily fit in the soundtrack of an independent coming of age film.
www.soundclick.com/gawkerslowdown
2. Tuesdays Robot, "Jiminy's Jump" MP3
Tuesdays Robot is an acoustic duo whose knack for writing catchy songs is highlighted in "Jiminy's Jum," a very playful sing-along anthem.
www.myspace.com/tuesdaysrobot
3. Mach FoX, "Fast Fallaway" MP3
Mach FoX takes a futuristic premise, with past electronic synth tradition and creates a dark brooding sound. With "Fast Fallaway," and their new CD, Mach FoX edges closer to the top of the local Electropunk scene.
www.machfox.com
4. The Hobo Nephews, "Gold In The Hills" MP3
With their old-time country and bluegrass music sound, the Hobo Nephews are a hoot.
www.teaguealexy.com
5. The Bullets, "You Call It Love" MP3
The Bullets push the limits of a genre full of bands that can't pull it off. They also keep the once-great Midnight Evils' legacy alive.
www.thebullets.net
6. David Levin, "Where Is The Heart" MP3
David Levin is a prime example of a great songwriter/musician in a city where most of the time, the different, loud and noisy get more attention. Levin would have a hit if the pop radio stations in this market played quality music.
www.davidlevin.com
7. Acoustic Death Machine, "D.U.I. In The Company Van" MP3
Acoustic Death Machine writes clever acoustic songs that are fun to listen to. "D.U.I. In The Company Van" is a cautionary tale about getting drunk and driving around in the company van. No hidden meanings or artsy interpretations in this song.
www.myspace.com/acousticdeathmachine
8. Skittish, "Million Gray" MP3
Skittish takes an older sound and infuses it with enough freshness to get a great "new" song.
www.iamskittish.com
9. The Revamps, "Love To Lose" MP3
The Revamps went from a forgettable garage band to a great indie rock band. What a difference a few years can make.
www.therevamps.com
10. Colonial Vipers Attack, "Now You Know" MP3
Colonial Vipers Attack not only created a great sound, they amplified it with their musical prowess, songwriting talent and attention to detail.
www.colonialvipersattack.com
11. Beight, "Junior High Smiles" MP3
I can't really explain Beight's appeal, but listening to his music makes me feel good. He writes songs which sound different – but not in an experimental way – than most music out there. Make sense?
www.myspace.com/beight
12. Harmony LaBeff, "Silver Lining" MP3
Harmony LaBeff is another artist who's probably not different enough to fit into our 'weird' music scene, but still, he writes very good songs.
www.harmonylabeff.com
13. Radio On, "Houston" MP3
Radio On is something of a mod band, with a Brit pop influence and catchy vocals. I admit I hadn't heard much about Radio On before the Rift compilation.
www.myspace.com/onradio
14. The Jaggernauts, "A Cup" MP3
The Jaggernauts are post indie rock, a little heavy, but not hardcore, a little punkish, but not punk. I'd say they're more like an above average rock band.
www.krapprecords.com
15. Nicholas Roesler, "Decision" MP3
Nicholas Roesler is fairly new to Minneapolis, hailing from LaCrosse, WI. You'll hear a little Paul Westerberg in the vocal phrasing, but the song definitely has its own sound.
www.myspace.com/nicholasroesler
16. Chris Koza, "Runoff For A Thirsty Cactus" MP3
I can't say anything about Chris Koza that hasn't already been said. He's a great songwriter and has two solid albums under his belt.
www.chriskoza.com
17. Avenpitch, "Dusseldorf" MP3
Electropunk pioneers Avenpitch always put on a great in-your-face live performance and they've captured that energy on their new CD.
www.avenpitch.com
18. Low Lustre, "Dancing Blind" MP3
Low Lustre is real indie rock with the shimmering, noisy guitars and emotional vocals. They've been compared to early U2, which you may hear in the vocals.
www.lowlustre.com
19. The New Congress, "Ain't About You" MP3
The New Congress bridge the gap of rhythm and blues, cocktail and dancing music. "Ain't About You" is sultry and brings to mind a romantic encounter.
www.thenewcongress.net
20. Murzik, "Kosovo" MP3
It seems fitting to end the compilation with something different than anything else on the CD. Murzik plays Russian-sounding folk music – you'd be hard pressed to find another band in the Twin Cities doing the same thing.
www.murzikmusic.com
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