...The boys of Jackie Cooper took the stage next. This was my first time hearing them, even though I'd heard of them for quite some time. They played their forthcoming CD (on No Karma Recordings) from start to finish. I expected them to be heavier for some reason ; even though I saw not one, but two keyboards set up. I expected Mike Tietjen to sing more (because he sang a lot in his old band, Cup 388). I expected Kenny Buesing to sing as well, also because he sang in his old band, the Autumn Effect).

Expectations aside, I heard a set of well-crafted songs, featuring solid drumming, delicate vocals, tasteful guitars and keyboards, and an awesome ability for all five of these guys to stay out of each other's way....

A couple of years back, fledgling label No Karma released a sampler CD of its bands, called Atmosphere Only Gets You So Far. Not a bad set of songs, but it was perhaps most impressive for its feat of sounding almost like the work of one band, despite featuring nearly twenty different bands. The label had a sonic identity, yes - but potentially, a variety problem. This new compilation shows that the label has broadened its musical palette significantly since then.

In time-honored indie-label fashion, many tracks here are exclusive to this comp, and some bands whose full-length releases are on other labels contribute one-off tracks here... and Jackie Cooper's appealing and touching "Lost in Focus," with its catch-in-the-throat chorus and solo guitar channeling Robert Fripp circa Starless.