TNBTA® Compilation Album: New York City Edition In Review

The album format is a great way to explore a band’s hierarchy of emotions and thematic unity over the course of 10-11-12 tracks, and appreciate an artist’s overall ability to capture a sound. A compilation album is a whole different beast. It is essentially a glorified track list. In some ways, a compilation album is a promotional piece and nothing more. But the best ones have an objective aside from marketing new indie acts on the tails of the big heavy-hitters. A great compilation album has a unifying purpose, and recalls the best playlists and most impressive collections this way of legendary ‘Greatest Hits’ of an era.

The Noise Beneath the Apple’s® first official compilation is being released as part of the current Art-Style/Coffee Table book, which goes on sale May 1st. The 12” vinyl record is page 200 inside the book. It is an overt celebration of the best street musicians of New York City. The energy of a ‘spontaneous’ performance is captured here, as the tracks have an echoing, vibrant feeling to them. Of course, a recording is not the same, but the whole purpose of the compilation is to celebrate the city and the fun of street-level music. It reaches this goal with aplomb and grand success.

Many compilation albums suffer because they do not have very good pacing. This is because, well, they are haphazardly constructed to put big singles ahead and promotional leaders as the front runners. The TNBTA® Compilation Album: New York City Edition does not seem to care about giving any one artist any more attention than any other. This celebration is about the universality of music as a whole. This is why folksy, boisterous jams rest alongside banjo-tinged acoustics. Matt Pless’ indie gem ‘New York Monday’ moves with a theatrical and strident sauciness, and the veteran singer-songwriter Luke Ryan is a true talent with his offering of the track ‘Underground.’ From what I heard from Luke Ryan, this was a brilliant pick and will hopefully bring the bearded master more attention in the scene.

The punk rock track by L-Train called ‘Break the Insecurity’ is an absolute blast. It is unfortunate that the recording quality (or the version I listened to) was mixed so quietly. It seems to lack the dual punch the band clearly is trying to run with, giving it a suffocating sound. Fortunately, ‘Foundation’ by the Jason Adamo Band is exquisite as a pop song, as a folk song, and as an electrifyingly huge ballad. What a grand talent.

Another one of the album’s highlights comes in the merry form of ‘ You've Been a Big Girl Now’ by Key Appleseeds. The signer’s voice is spellbinding, a high-pitched weirdness that takes no shame. He would win no American Idol contest, and that is JUST the way we like it. I could close my eyes and picture these artists crooning loudly, harmonizing with bystanders, and dominating their chosen instrument on the street corner or city block of their choice. The closing track by Ghsts and Gtrs is graceful and dazzling. It sums up the ambience and ethos of the album with somber tones.

This is the radiance of the compilation. Unlike many albums that stuff their music with electronics, overlays, and dual vocals, the tracks on this eclectic assortment would work perfectly in a live setting. And they do. The songs never stray away from that ideology, and though many of these artists have tunes less likely to translate to a live show, the choices here keep that in focus. They are perfectly primed to excel on the street, and I am happy to say that the whole idea of this compilation is not extinguished or lost.

The compilation is a triumph in busking music. Where most compilations seem generic and promotional, this handpicked collection is purposeful and gigantic. It represents the New York City busking scene with shining audacity. There is no hiding from variety. Most genres are represented, all sounds accounted for- if you listened to any playlist/compilation this year, choose one that makes a statement while enchanting you with new ideas done right.

Stream TNBTA: NYC Edition HERE.

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