05/06/08
Text: Nik Mercer
Fidotrust Records' most recent release, a twenty-three-track compilation entitled Trust Us: A Long Beach Comp is an impressive and diligent celebration of Long Beach's music scene. Most folks think of Long Beach as a south-of-L.A. harbor city that probably should drop the "beach" part of its name, but such thinking is―at least in part―nearsighted and oversimplified.
The compilation's liner notes begin with a sobering point that sets the tone for the entire selection of songs:
There is a beach in Long Beach, but it's not tame yet―last time I was there a gull flew by with a cigar in its beach―and if that's what helps keep the rents cheap and the record stores good and the bars fearless about how many and what kind of amps and pedals the bands drag in, then I'll go sprinkle the sand with (more) cigarettes just to do my part.
Who would've thought that Long Beach's disenchanting ambiance and smog-crusted skyline would breed such creativity and "fearlessness"? We apparently didn't quite grasp the greatness that is Long Beach even when our offices were still based in the modest town. That being said, some people must be finding the place appealing as Trust Us features nearly two dozen bands hailing from the community. Gotta give 'em props for that!
While most of the tune are punk- and rock-oriented and nothing too, too special, there're certainly a few gems in there... and the heartwarming sincerity and authenticity that seeps through the cracks makes us want to pick up and go back down to the booming metropolis (not really).
Dios (Malos)―quite possibly Long Beach's biggest band ever―recorded a song specially for the compilation. Check it out in the media player to the right... it's mediocre, so don't get your hopes up too high.
