As noted in a previous post, I purchased Parasol‘s Sweet Sixteen, Volume 7 promo album last time I was in Champaign. I’ve been listening to it for a couple of days now.

It’s all good stuff, as one might expect from a “samples from our labels” disc, but there are a few standouts:

Strange Living—Menthol

Hypnotic and catchy. It’s got a simple, unwavering beat up until the end of the song, with effects that sound like those made by UFOs in old B-grade movies. It produces an eerie feeling that helps the song live up to its title.

Snobs & Slobs—The Like Young

It’s a little bit like Weezer meets Franz Ferdinand. The vocals wail à la Rivers Cuomo with sharp, percussive guitar riffs like those in The Dark of the Matinée.

The Break (It’s Been There All This Time)—Absinthe Blind

Like a lot of the other material from Rings, this vocals and effects on this track are a little bit ethereal. Combined with the lyrics, you can close your eyes and feel yourself drifting away and making a break…

Wide Eyed Fools—Bettie Serveert

It’s a little bit abrasive, it’s a little bit sweet. Not a girl, not a grrrl, but somewhere in between.

Walking On Air—Mark Bacino

It’s cheesy, it’s got nice vocal harmonies, it sounds like something your buddy would play on the acoustic guitar that happens to be sitting near the couch at a party. What’s not to like?