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The End Self-Titled Daisy Records This mellow, locally based rock trio focused on melody and songwriting takes an unusual mixture of jazz and roots-rock influences and directs it into a gentle alt-pop sound. Vocalist and guitarist Brian Tuley's appealing voice gravitates between gravel and nasal tones, and on "Anna Anorexic" one can almost imagine John Mellencamp behind the mic. Two standout songs on the album are the edgy "Bats in the Belfry," about a guy in love with a girl who's crazy, and the lilting "Tongue & Cheek," about dreams, on which Tuley narrates: "Far from the East when I found myself West/ Found the Pacific and a place to rest/ Got a roof overhead seems I'm properly fed/ Now I need riches and I want fast cars/ I want a mansion with skylights and stars/ I want the dream/ I'll have these things/ I took my tongue out of my cheek/ Let's be realistic." The band features drummer Kasey Cox (formerly of Jalopy Taco Stand) and bassist Dan Monroe. (Sarah Quelland) Various Artists The Shanti Project Collection Badman Recording Co. Featuring new, rare and favorite tracks by the Red House Painters, Low, Idaho, Hayden and Misc, this benefit CD will raise funds for the Shanti Project of San Francisco, which is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people living with HIV and AIDS. Emotional support, counseling and transportation are just some of the important services Shanti provides. While the dignified mood-rock soundscapes on this album are elegant, they are also incredibly dreary and the artists' songs all run together in one slow, melancholy, depressive sequence. The Red House Painters contribute a haunting cover of Genesis' "Follow You, Follow Me." Low's "Lazy," Idaho's "The Sun Is All There Is," Hayden's discordant "Choking" and Misc's "Tired of Myself" are also of particular note. Although the album is a strong compilation, it leaves one feeling terribly lonely ... which can be good or bad, depending. (SQ) [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]