Make it rare
Geffen Rarities Vol.1
Various artists
Geffen Records
Reviewed By Jon Land
Make mine rare, please, says the press release. Geffen Rarities Vol.1 is an interesting assortment of tracks by alternative bands from the US pub-rock and college circuit. The budget-priced compilation has 14 rare or previously unreleased songs from some of the most influential bands and performers to come out of the US in recent years.
Artists featured include Urge Overkill, Sonic Youth, Hole and the Counting Crows. There is a track by Nirvana,"Pay to Play", which is the demo that eventually became "Stay Away" on the hit Nevermind album. From Beck comes a very much Dylan-influenced piece called "Bogusflow", and the Posies provide a great melody in "Open Every Window".
This collection of tracks gives a good feel for the artists which the Geffen label has signed up. It is sure to please those who like something a little different from the US indie scene.