November 2003

Compilation Review, Northeast Performer
By Jeff Lefler

These Are Centre Street Tracks manages to sidestep the manypitfalls of compilations and comes off as a worthwhile collection showcasing some of the best indie rock New England has to offer. TACST is exactly what a good compilation should be. There are names that immediately jump out as bands from the area that have caused a serious buzz as well as a few soon-to-be-known acts, but most importantly almost all the songs are previously unreleased material. Such unique tracks are the bread and butter of good compilations and these have been chosen wisely; there aren't any dodgy demo versions or fan live show mini-disc recordings, it's all top shelf here. The sounds of TACST have a relatively broad scope, but generally stick to guitar pop, which helps give the album's diversity a sense of coherence and avoid pin balling awkwardly amongst divergent genres.

Things start off nice and mellow with the pensive, dreamy musings of Torrez ("Transistor") and Tiger Saw ("I Am So Cold [live]") and the quirky, vulnerable acousti-pop of Soltero ("Wedding Day"). This trio of songs alone would be worth picking this disc up, but as luck would have it the remaining tracks aren't too shabby either. Verona Downs ("Outringing") and Delphine ("The Part") stay with the slow and easygoing atmosphere further on in the album, but to keep things from getting too slow there is a good chunk of upbeat, mid-tempo numbers. Whistle Jacket ("If I Was To Write A Love Song"), So & So ("Stupid Way Home"), and the Mobius Band ("City vs. Country") are the most rewarding of the bunch. And of course, what comp would be complete without at least a few "crank up the volume and sing at the top of your lungs" cuts? TACST satisfies the urge with the jumping Dylan-esque twang of Choo Choo La Rouge ("Sinkhole [live]"), the caffeinated love of The Cautions ("Coffee Shop Girl") and the post-punk buzz of Eyes Like Knives ("Waylo"). If you are looking for a compilation that won't end up gathering dust in your collection, try this one.