Various Artists - Trust Us...A Long Beach Comp

"When Long Beach's Alex's Bar opened, it filled a void left by the closure of the city's only venues where touring bands could play. The re-establishment of a music scene began to flourish and has culminated with this compilation, the first to deal exclusively with the city's currently burgeoning music scene. Put together by Long Beach locals, this comp features the hardworking, up-and-coming and best Long Beach bands. Trust Us captures a shared mindset of musicians who live in a place that is equal parts city, college town, suburbia, ghetto, and beach oasis. The effects come through song after song ranging from loud and raucous (Tijuana Knife Fight) to dance-y (Slippers) to beautiful (The Year Zero). It's a time capsule for this definitive time in Long Beach's music scene. Overall, there are only a few notable omissions, but with 23 tracks, from Crystal Antlers to The Valley Arena, you can't really complain. A compilation like this was way past due, and fortunately when someone decided to take on the task, it was done right."

- Alex Roman, LA Record