Various Artists - Too Young To Die

In the tradition of Sub City’s Take Action! compilations, Deep Elm Records has released Too Young To Die. A portion of the proceeds is donated to The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, which supports treatment for depression and the prevention of suicide. As a means to educate and reduce teen suicide this is an excellent project, because the prevention guide that is the CD booklet is both extensive and down-to-earth. With the list of fifteen bands, ranging from straight-up-indie-rock to punk-pop, and with nineteen tracks there will surely be a band or two that you discover and enjoy, all the while supporting a good cause. Each song in some way relates to suicide, so it’s as consistent as any various artists mix you’ll find. Soundtracks and compilation albums inherently falter as far as straight-through listening is concerned because it can’t be tailored to please everyone’s individualistic tastes; so, as is to be expected some songs will appeal to you over others. The Surrounded, Slowride, and Appleseed Cast songs stick out as the most enjoyable, but I also grew fond of Pop Unknown and David Singer and The Sweet Science. If you’re interested in any of the above bands, I recommend checking this album out. It’s basically a “greatest hits” of Deep Elm Records. If you aren’t aware, Deep Elm is a very well rounded label that gives their bands a lot of creative freedom to sound how they want to, though a few stick with a standard style. I find it difficult to score something like this; it achieves its goal and it’s a respectable cause. However, there are other similar compilations that have been released such as the Take Action! series, that are a better value. [www.deepelm.com]