CD Review

Summertime and living is easy…” The song is familiar, but there’s something inviting those jazzy words that breezes directly over to the surf culture. Sprout, the third soundtrack in a surfing inspired film series which includes both Thicker Than Water and September Sessions, hones the ocean lifestyle, but with an added jazzy flair. The Thomas Campbell 16mm surf flick soundtrack offers thirteen of the thirty odd songs featured in the movie, favoring an eclectic array, over your typical reggae meets hardcore surf tunes.

Familiar artists include Calexico, The Shins, Tortoise, and The Sprout House Band, consisting of Tommy Guerrero (skateboarder/guitarist), Jack Johnson (surfer/singer/songwriter), Money Mark (keyboardist for the Beastie Boys), and Adam Topol (drums for Jack Johnson and The Martinis).

Sprout is a catch as it showcases artists you normally wouldn’t hear of – Sam Prekop, Oliver Nelson, Hope Sandoval, Ray Barbee – giving the album its seductive laid back lounge feel, without the metrosexual Starbucks compilation touch. Just listen to Bonnie Prince Billy and Matt Sweeny deliver their mopey psychedelic folk on “Demon Lover” and Sprout can find its way both on indie radio and in beatnik lure. Other highlights include The Shins on “When I Goose Step,” Calexico’s mariachi themed “Banderilla" and Tommy Guerilla’s New Order charged “By Fist And Fury.” If you’re looking for a compilation that has a bit of everything without sounding like a personal “mix” selection – Sprout is it.