CD Review

Its hard to get excited about a compilation. Its typically no more than a glorified mix tape like the ones you made for your girlfriend in high school. But this is no ordinary collection of artists - and these are not the songs you dubbed off the radio. Believe it or not, but had this “compilation” album come out a month earlier, it would have made a few best of the year lists.

Sounds Eclectic 3 is the most recent installment featuring songs recorded live on Nic Harcourt’s “Morning becomes Eclectic” daily radio show, on public radio station KCRW in Santa Barbara. Everyone is on here, and each track is better than the last. But not just for the actual performances, which are crisp and intimate, but for the rarities and historical moments captured on tape.

The Polyphonic Spree’s “It’s the Sun,” Jem’s “Flying High” and Interpols’ “Untitled” are each band’s first ever radio performance. Damien Rice’s “The Blower’s Daughter” is taken from his first time playing the U.S., and Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out” is from the band’s first ever visit to the states.

Alongside those stellar tracks are an acoustic version of “Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt 1” by The Flaming Lips, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood doing “Go To Sleep” and Steve Earle’s signature political slant on “Jerusalem.” Though Sam Beam, a.k.a. Iron and Wine, captured when they were off the air playing the Lips’ “Waiting For A Superman” is thankfully saved for the ages, making Sounds Eclectic 3 a powerful addition to your collection with those “regular” albums.

See soundseclectic.com for more info