Review: Various Artists ‘You Heard Us Back When…’ (2016)

Vol. 10 – You Heard Us Back When…
Zia Records Presents: You Heard Us Back When 
Good for: The background music to a beer-tasting municipal newcomer social event or for decompressing after a municipal work shift (from aforementioned newcomer social event)

Score: 7/10

Ah! New, passionate music to fight and raise money for child cancer charities! Vol. 10 of the Zia Records Presents: You Heard Us Back When is almost like the mixtape that the owner of Eagle Aerie Hall (or maybe your local Zia Records retail employee) could give you of future venue openers. No need to arrive at doors anymore! Just pick up this volume of You Heard Us Back When! Kidding.

One of the gems from Vol. 10 is Tobie Milford. The track submitted (“Fear of Music”) is really emotive, orchestral songwriter stuff. The DWARF track, “All These Words,” takes a newly deconstructive, nihilistic take on the vulnerable rock of the 90s, and Leaving Springfield’s “Ordinary” gives a classic poppy punk-rock submission to Vol. 10, in the vein of Screeching Weasel.

Truthfully, I found the Phoenix scene submissions more interesting and thoughtful (although what’s with guitar solos? Joking) than the generally aggressive hard-rock of the Las Vegas and Tucson submissions. To comprise submissions exceeding 70% of Vol. 10 and be home to bands ranging from the experimental and alternative Nocturnal North to the radio-co-opting People Who Could Fly makes Phoenix seem like a hub for musical interest and talent. Though the punk rock of Leaving Springfield and The Vermin leaves an impression on the Vol. 10 listener, I would like to hear more submissions from the great musical city of Las Vegas like the funky, toe-tapping track “Bruise” from Melancholics.

A really good compilation can give the listener not only glimpses into bands’ worlds, but a clear snapshot into the current state and direction of a music scene. Vol. 10, then, sounds less like a classic sampler and more like a showcase that these bands will use for attention and enhancing the possibilities for their bands. Priced at only three dollars, Vol. 10 of the Zia Records Presents: You Heard Us Back When is a pleasurable listening experience, albeit too long at 2 discs length.

-Niru Sivakumar

Vol. 10 – You Heard Us Back When… is available now at Zia Records.