And though nobody on Dreaming Up The Perfect Pop, a twenty-one song collection of various pop artists, makes me feel as if I've heard the perfect pop song. The fact remains they all make valiant efforts, creating sugary sweet, mellow- and power-pop offerings that will make you feel as if you've heard some pretty darn fine pop.

From the jangle-y to the bouncy, through the sing-along anthems and the headphone delights, artists such as Astropop 3, Ashley Park, Kleenex Girl Wonder, The Essex Green, and The Mendoza Line all pay tribute to the legends of pop while making their own entry into the history books. Fonda, The Mockers, Call and Response, and The Echo Orbiter also make significant pop offerings here. I'll give it a B-.

VARIOUS ARTISTS: Doom Capital: Maryland/DC Heavy Rock Underground

Various Artists: Dreams of What Life Could Have Been: The Ultimate Sludge Compilation

[Issue Fifty-Six // January 2003]