CDVS: Future Soundtrack for America Vs. Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2

One thing is for sure--there is no shortage of Bush haters among the rock pool. No fewer than 47 of them donated their musical leftovers to two recent rock compilations--Music for America and MoveOn.org's Future Soundtrack for America and Punkvoter.com's Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2--that don't represent progressive politics as much as they intend to make a dent in this year's presidential election. With sales proceeds essentially going to both nonprofit organizations' efforts to register new voters--and push them with varying degrees of subtlety away from the Republican levers--these albums are little more than campaign tools. Since we all need to do our part, we'll ascertain as to which "benefit" purchase is the wisest.

Future Soundtrack possesses the most high-profile artists. However, for all its celebrity luster, there aren't many noteworthy songs here, especially when a good portion of the selections are some sort of "live" version--hardly impetus for a particular act's fans to purchase the entire collection. The producers likely figured if they signed on enough critical darlings (Ben Kweller, Bright Eyes) and respectable chartburners (Jimmy Eat World, Blink-182), the comp would be a blockbuster, a la 1994's No Alternative and 1999's No Boundaries. Those comps, however, had radio hits, whereas this one is heavy with recording session leftovers. Making up for that, though, are nuggets such as Tom Waits' moving "Day After Tomorrow" and Elliott Smith's buoyant, Beatles-esque "A Distorted Reality Is Now a Necessity to Be Free" (from his final recording sessions last year).

The second volume of the punk-oriented Rock Against Bush is, no surprise, more of the same, with a few more big-name acts for additional commercial heft. This is great for the mostly underground participants here. Radio listeners who perk up at the sight of unreleased Green Day, Foo Fighters and No Doubt goodies are also exposed to undervalued bands like Hot Water Music, the Lawrence Arms and the (International) Noise Conspiracy. Unlike Future, only four live songs make the cut here. However, given that most compilations are made up of B-side-quality material, the lo-fi and two-chord inclinations of the artists make for some cacophonous filler. And what's up with Sleater-Kinney chipping in on both records...with the same song?

Honestly, it doesn't matter which one you pick. Remember, it's anybody but Bush.--Mike Prevatt