FRI 23 APRIL 2004
‘Idaho Greentracks’ mission to raise political and musical awareness, not greenbacks
By Bennett YankeyArgonaut Staff
It is hardly uncommon for musical artists to espouse a political bent of some sort these days. Even if not overtly through their lyrical content, finding bands and solo performers willing to take a social stance, particularly among unsigned and budding artists, is no difficult task.
“Idaho Greentracks,” a new compilation released by the Idaho Green Party, provides an outlet for 18 such Idaho musicians to showcase their talents while contributing to a unified cause.
The disc serves as a benefit sampler to raise money for the Idaho Green Party’s new equal-access office in downtown Boise. However, the project was conceived in accordance with the tenets of the Green Party’s Ten Key Values, specifically the notion of community-based economics.
According to the party’s Web site, the mission of the compilation is more to promote under-recognized talent and energy in Idaho’s music community than to simply raise funds.
The majority of the artists featured hail from the Boise area, although the inclusion of Pocatello’s Bob Picard and Carl Rey of north Idaho round the compilation out as a statewide effort.
A number of the artists, including Central Boise Library, Bonefish Sam and His Power Orchestra and R Heroz are associated with independent Boise record label Coming In Second.
Coming In Second is headed up by Jeremy Jensen, who mastered the songs on the disc. Jensen also makes his own musical contribution to the disc, with his band The Very Most offering polished, Beach Boys-esque indie pop with the track “Historical Movement.”
The heaviest hitter on the lineup is obviously Built To Spill, Idaho’s only rock band currently signed to a major label and probably one of the bigger selling points to potential buyers unfamiliar with the Green Party and its platform.
Built To Spill’s straight-faced cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mr. Crowley” is indicative of frontman Doug Martsch’s recent proclivity toward classic covers in both his solo and band material. Name recognition aside, the cover proves to be one of the strongest tracks on the compilation effort.
The track arrangement appears to favor the more left-of-center artists toward the beginning, peaking with clarinet-driven ensemble Lowbelly’s “Smoking Jack,” before moving toward singer-songwriters and Americana-oriented compositions.
The disc’s closer takes a different turn, with punk band Upinatem contributing the mile-a-minute “In Defense of Natalie Maines,” referencing the Dixie Chicks member chastised last year for her denouncement of the actions of President Bush.
The liner notes of “Idaho Greentracks” further elucidate the intent of the project, pointing out that while many of the recordings on the disc were made in living rooms and basements, the honesty and directness of the artists and their messages supercedes the output of the corporate rock structure, drawing the parallel between the do-it-yourself spirit of the artists and Green Party politics.
Schedule for Eastside Cinemas
“Alamo” PG-13 8:50 p.m.“Ella Enchanted” PG (12:40), (2:50), 5, 7:10 and 9:20 p.m.
“Whole Ten Yards” PG-13 (3:15) and 9:30 p.m.
“Home on the Range” PG (1:30), (3:20), 5:10, and 7 p.m.
“Walking Tall” PG-13 (1:15), 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
“Man on Fire” R (noon), (3), 6 and 9 p.m.
“13 Going on 30” PG-13 (12:50), (3), 5:10, 7:20 and 9:30 p.m.
Schedule for U4 Cinemas
“Hellboy” PG-13 (1:30), (4), 7 and 9:30 p.m.“Kill Bill 2” R (1), 4, 7 and 9:45 p.m.
“The Girl Next Door” R (1), 4:30, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.
“Lady Killers” R (1:30), 4:30, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.
Showtimes in ( ) are for Saturday and Sunday only.
UI Argonaut, 301 Student Union, Moscow, ID 83844
Argonaut: 208.885.7845 Advertising: 208.885.5780