"The first volume of This Is Indie Rock is so brilliant that I think this is going to be the best compilation series EVER. The record features twelve little known yet very interesting indie bands, covering any genre of music. Among the most famous you can find Clair De Lune, the Deep Elm band that already released the masterpiece Marionettes. There are a lot of surprises on the comp: The Pit That Became A Tower, The Kidcrash, Throat and Siva are some of the finest bands around. Second Hand Stories and Joanna Erdos are two very nice surprises, and be sure to get to know Lakota and Winter In Alaska as well. This Is Indie Rock is super good and it will easily be remembered as one of the top records in 2004." - Truepunk

"This Is Indie Rock picks up the baton left behind by the Emo Diaries and continues to run unabated. Standouts include the epic confusion of Clair De Lune, the bittersweet pop of The Blind Kind and the gorgeously intoxicating delivery by Joanna Erdos. However, the real beauty lies in the overall quality. Combining a myriad of styles - from hardcore, pop and of course indie - Deep Elm have yet again come up trumps in unearthing some of tomorrow's top indie rock stars. Bring on Volume two!" - Big Cheese

"Deep Elm, a fierce little label out of North Carolina, continue their mission of sifting through the chaff, bringing you This Is Indie Rock, which features a dozen new finds that you can't classify (sorry, major label monkeys). There is the low slung casual distortion of The Pit That Became A Tower, molten lead fury of Clair De Lune, the Bright Eyes-meets-Sparklehorse beauty of The Blind King, the screamo of Dino Velvet, coffee shop fragility of the acoustic Second Hand Stories, the knife-edged sharpness of the melodic Throat, the art school workshop softness of Winter In Alaska, tangled piano and aching soul of the delicious Joanna Erdos, the barefisted thuggery of Siva, big Bob Mould-styled soul searching from Lakota, Wilco-style dreaming from Leaving Rouge, and the modern rock snap of The Kidcrash. In short, these twelve bands approach music from different angles, representing a whole new chapter in Deep Elm's quest. As always, Deep Elm is a name you can trust." - Culture Bunker

"This Is Indie Rock is exactly that...indie rock, and lashings of it. Totally open submission, it brings together exclusive tracks from bands as far afield as Jerusalem, Ireland and Santa Fe. This is a fine collection. From Dino Velvet's At The Drive-In-esque electronica-tinged melodic hardcore to Joanna Erdos' piano-led evocation of the likes of Fiona Apple and the very best female vocalists around, via The Blind King's marvelously understated Indie Pop Song and the Husker Du-like pop-punk of Lakota, This Is Indie Rock scores hits left, right and center and provides something to love right across the spectrum of independent music. Deep Elm is just one of those labels you can't help but love, and it's because of records like this; and not just because of the music, but the ethic." - Alternative Nation

"This Is Indie Rock rather great. Winter In Alaska are moody alt-rock lamenting with style, while Second Hand Stories' folk-flecked tale telling is only usurped by the effortlessly sweet tones of Joanna Erdos, who's probably listened to a Cat Power record in her time. Screaming hand-clapping loons Siva and Dino Velvet's At The Drive-In yelping ain't bad either. And full marks to The Blind King, who cut straight to the chase with the cheeky but measured Indie Pop Song. Smart." - New Noise

"After defining the emo genre in a respectable and admirable way with their Emo Diaries series, Deep Elm Records is back with Volume One of what we can only hope will be a new compilation saga. This Is Indie Rock is a more expansive umbrella, allowing the label to put acoustic indie rock meanderings, mid-tempo emotive grooving, and spastic freak-outs side-by-side. This first volume features mostly unknown bands from the States and abroad, something I've always given kudos to Deep Elm for doing. It would be so easy to plunk established bands from hip epicenters onto these things; instead we get a varied sampling of upstart bands from off the beaten path, kicking and scratching to be heard. For more on that, see Dino Velvet and their maniacal scream therapy session. Just one of many excellent new bands to check out on here." - Chord Magazine

"I don't know any label that delivers quality goods at the same rate as these guys do. This Is Indie Rock is everything it claims to be: the best bands you've never heard. A very open-ended interpretation of indie rock characterizes this CD, ranking quality of music and recording at a far higher priority than genre appeal. No two bands sound alike, yet their songs are woven together seamlessly to produce a compact disc that is more an album than a compilation. You'd be surprised how well these songs do alongside one another, considering those involved probably never heard of each other either. I used to consider the Copper Press samplers the best place to go to discover new indie rock bands, but This Is Indie Rock has that one beat. I think this is going to top the Emo Diaries as well..." - Punk International

"Deep Elm has been plugging along with their compilations of unreleased material from some of the world's coolest up and coming bands. This Is Indie Rock marks a new beginning for the label. One band that really grabbed me was Second Hand Stories with a very gentle acoustic song with some pretty fun finger-picking. Yeah, a little different for Deep Elm but I have a feeling that this will be a band we see something big from. Throat's contribution is great. They are heavy but not heavy enough to grate. We also get the quiet (the softly spoken Joanna Erdos) followed by the agro-loud (El Paso's Siva). Run out and grab this album if you are into discovering new, unheard music. Deep Elm is doing us a service by picking through all these bands." - Music Emissions

"Deep Elm Records has long been known as a leading independent label, as well as one that releases good compilation series. Their long running Emo Diaries series recently came to an end and now they're debuting a new series, This Is Indie Rock. Throughout the compilation you will find many different kinds of artists, including singer/songwriters like Joanna Erdos and Second Hand Stories, as well as a few mid-tempo rockers in The Pit That Became A Tower and Leaving Rouge. The highlight tracks for me come in the form of Marionettes from Clair De Lune and Throat, who lend a track titled Saturday which is easily the catchiest and most fun on the album. Another band worth mentioning is Siva. Their song features some bass groove and quite a bit of raw energy. The best thing about this record is that the bands are from all-around the globe so you get a taste of many different musical styles. You can also trust that Deep Elm picked some of the best, as they have always had a good eye for the indie scene. If you're looking for a comp with quality, then This Is Indie Rock would definitely be a good choice." - Acclaimed Punk

"Deep Elm's first volume of a commendable new compilation series This Is Indie Rock: The Best Bands You've Never Heard does precisely that; soundtracking twelve yet-unrecognisable bands from across the hardcore/ indie divide. From the heavily stoner-pop sound of Jerusalem's The Pit That Became A Tower, to moments of scintillating screamo (Siva) and considered, Oberst-esque head-scratching (the utterly jaw-dropping Winter In Alaska) this is a collection of bands destined to go catastrophic in the coming months. Want to know what's gonna be hot next year? Look no further." - Noyz

"Deep Elm has the best track record for compilations, hands down. They are great for so many uses like mix-tapes, driving ammo or parties. This latest comp from Deep Elm, This Is Indie Rock, is correct in its title and will rescue more kids from the beige wave of radio monotony and the nu-metal plagues. Twelve bands and so much amazing versed variety, it's impossible to pick favorites, so I'll name a few of my heavy-hitters: Second Hand Stories, Joanna Erdos, Clair De Lune and The Blind King. Volume Two is coming soon. Collect them all." - Crooked Camera

"Much like their brilliant Emo Diaries series, Deep Elm is back with This Is Indie Rock, showcasing 'the best bands you've never heard.' Also like their previous series, the bands are from all over the word: Israel, Ireland, New York, Michigan, Texas and more. With diverse backgrounds come diverse sounds; this album includes a mix of musical genres, from emo to jangly indie rock to spastic math rock to hardcore. the end result is an outstanding, varied collection of twelve songs. Standout tracks include tunes from Clair De Lune, Dino Velvet, Siva and Lakota. I'm a sucker for the more up tempo stuff." - Impact Press

"On This Is Indie Rock, Deep Elm has put together twelve unknown bands that will have you hooked in no time. The Pit That Became A Tower easily turned me onto their music more than any other artist on this record. This Jerusalem-based band surprised me beyond belief. Next up is Clair De Lune, who gives my head a shake or two, making me realize how talented they are. Second Hand Stories' empathetic track mixes in enthralling acoustic work, but it only gets better from here. Joanna Erdos' song completely swept me off my feet with its simple yet passionate articulation. Siva put forth their take on post hardcore with G, and Lakota captivate you with their upbeat rock. The Kidcrash end this first volume with Bells And Hammers, a fine, polished mix of straight up rock. True to their beliefs, Deep Elm hands you twelve up and coming artists for you to choose from. This Is Indie Rock shows exactly how things need to be done." - Adapt

"From the ashes of Deep Elm's The Emo Diaries (all ten of which are great resources for hard-to-find, as well as mainstream independent rock bands) rises a new series compilation in the same spirit, This Is Indie Rock. Clair De Lune offer up Marionettes, a track you can't find on their LP. The Blind King provide an interesting mix of alt-country, electro and indie rock. Second Hand Stories is reminiscent of Death In June and Current 93's apocalyptic folk. Throat are a seriously catchy power pop / arena rock quartet from Ireland. Brooklyn's Joanna Erdos adds a little bit of soul with her R&B piano styling. Texan natives Siva are as if the early 90's Gravity screamo scene concentrated their ferocity more on the music, over the look and attitude. Lakota's song brings to mind Bob Mould's Sugar. The disc leaves us with The Kidcrash and a wonderfully depressing emo-rock number. It already looks and sounds as if This Is Indie Rock will surpass its predecessor in style and quality." - Feast of Hate and Fear

"Deep Elm has brought us This Is Indie Rock so that listeners can feel the music, spirit and resolve of the independent artists, and it works quite well! Compilations aren't normally my weapon of choice, but with a good mix of unknown bands, the label has effectively covered as many angles as they could. Fans of all genres of music will find something they like, and even a few surprises. Buying This Is Indie Rock could open your horizons and easily provide you with the perfect soundtrack." - Mammoth Press

"This Is Indie Rock is dedicated to rooting out the best of the underground, and this comp is incredibly a worldwide effort as the bands hail from as far away as Israel and Ireland and as unlikely as El Paso and Hackettstown, New Jersey. So it's a no-brainer when you say that this is representative of all the varying degrees of indie rock. Some of the standouts include Winter In Alaska, Clair De Lune, The Pit That Became A Tower, Second Hand Stories and The Kidcrash. But there's much much more that was packed into this release that's sure to be just as successful and ground breaking as their Emo Diaries collections were." - Smother

"Deep Elm has decided to address the needs of the indie rock faithful with its first showcase for new and upcoming bands in This Is Indie Rock. While Larne outfit Throat and Jerusalem band The Pit That Became A Tower are among the chosen twelve, the remainder of bands hail from the US, offering up everything from the sublime to the workmanlike. Highlights include the melodic angst of The Kidcrash, the mix of crazy time changes and techno keyboards from Dino Velvet and Minneapolis' Clair De Lune with some well-worked fury. The star here, however, has nothing to really do what many would call indie rock. Joanna Erdos' song has no guitars or peddles: just a voice, piano and drum kit, but it sticks from the first time you hear it." - Radio Telefis Eireann

I Must Save The President if you find the time. don't waste it on wine. don't waste it on dames. or video games. but hold on to things. that crystallize kings. that change who we are. and shine like a star. i must save the moment. i must save the president. i must save the ones who trust us as we are. i must save the children. i must save the building. in the name of the love that glues us to the floor. so you think you're bad. collectively sad. but look at the score. get ready for war. is that your helmet? is that your breastplate? is that your sword? a quarter-inch cord? Marionettes kiss the pain that fate passed around. this kind hollows the inside. just as it were another day of later age. you can't see through the windows. more like the shape of hate in your head. passed in the handshake. a truth upon the tongue has placed a face. upon the faults we call hopeless idiot. cause the pattern reverberates. out of care i fear the worst. this pause will trap us both in three words. let the patterns hide their face. at your worst i seem to care. this pause will trap us both in three words. bleed away the rust you housed and shaped in your synthetic heart. of shades that mixed the blood that carries thoughts of your town. burning down in spite of all the love you fail to dodge. lets box and burn just like a wish we would've answered or seen through Indie Pop Song don't know how to tell you what i feel. cause i'm not really sure myself. you can say that that's okay. but i can tell it's really not. and when you drop me off this time. i'll wonder whether i was clear. or did i just confuse you more. or maybe it doesn't even matter. what's the difference. it's all gonna end someday. you'll play an encore. watch the crowd fade away. it doesn't matter. if we played our songs to perfection. cause it's just an indie pop song. and it always ends this way. i could run away across the world. get a job and never leave. trade my guitar in for a horse. maybe drive a taxi. and you can build your pyramid. across the sea finally get what you need. get the perfect haircut. start another rock band. what's the difference. it's all gonna end someday. you'll play an encore. watch the crowd fade away. it doesn't matter. if we played our songs to perfection. cause it's just an indie pop song. and it always ends this way. don't know how to tell you what i feel. cause i'm not really sure myself. you can say that that's okay. but i can tell it's really not The Weekend Warriors we are those people making coffee in the morning. we are rendering goods and providing services. we're in the stores and the factories. you don't see us. we're just figments of your imagination. we're not housewives. we're not children. we're not cripples or down-syndrome. we didn't have problems growing up. we just wanted something different for ourselves. we work hard to pay the bills. i'll gladly break my back so you can live here. we are in the factories. no doubt building your machinery day in and day out. what is that about twleve hour days and mediocre pay. just to try and stay at lower middle-class stage. i'm washing my hands. i'm making a stand against upper-management and this non-union shop. another ten hour day. another twleve hour day. then a fourteen hour day. i'll gladly break my back so you can live in a beautiful house. with nice new clothes. and have a wonderful life full of opportunities. i'm washing my hands. i'm making a stand against upper management and this non-union shop. you don't understand. you've never dirtied your hands. cause you stand atop the skyrise everyday. buying. selling peoples lives. i'm making a stand. i'm making a plan to retire at sixty. and start enjoying life right before I die. weekend warriors unite. weekend warriors unite. fighting for the extra pay. so we won't have to work as many days. so we can get a few days off. to finish off the stain on the back porch. fighting so the bills are paid. so insurance payments can be made. fighting so the kids can sleep in nice new beds with nice clean sheets. weekend warriors unite Frontiers catch a spark from the magician's hat. with a glove that could trace all the lines on the map. to a place you would never ever go back. all these photographs and letters and everything attached. you call them love. you call them tiny portraits. portrails of where you were. call them lonely memories. somethings priceless still. catch a train there's a ghost town waiting for you. take the way that so many have followed through. an old frontier with the ghosts of the pioneers. waiting there, still waiting there for you. pack your bags leave the circus behind. take the train take everything. 'cause nothing is for certain. the best performance is always done behind the curtain Saturday saturday on my own. but i won't wait until its over. in another day things might change. but i'll hold on. saturday shaking lose. and i'm working twice as hard. to avoid the noose that you set for me. take some time. take it easy. saturday things get worse. but in my view what's to change. it has always been on the edge of taking too long. saturday shaking lose. and i'm working twice as hard. to avoid the noose that you set for me. take some time. take it easy Puzzle: Part One i've been searching for something i can't find. i keep moving. and the days proceed to pass me by. i lift my head up to take a look around. i notice people. i see them get beaten down. still they are smiling. they always appear so happy. imitating actors preparing for their debut in a movie. and the american viewing public is tuning in watching patiently. to see just who might win. the ball is quickly dropping. and everyone is counting. three-two-one and then it's done. the media entertains a mindlessness that sustains. it's history repeating. for people still searching for meaning. still waiting for a dream to flash across the television screen Silver And Gold silver and gold. one to touch. and one to hold on to. which one am i to you. say them both and make it true. because i believe that we're falling into the depths of hell. and all i can do is hold on. oh well. i would like to buy a vowel. u because. oh ee. i've been used too much. i've had a drink. every night this week. but I can't get drunk. so I must find another way. to get through the month. the week. or the day. yes I will find the power. to live in the moment. at least in the hour. or the power will find me. oh ee. i would like to buy a vowel. u because. oh ee. i've been used too much. i said i've been used too much. silver and gold. one to touch. and one to hold on to. which one am i to you. say them both and make it true. because i believe that we're falling into the depths of hell. and all i can do is hold on. oh well G i swallowed my heart yesterday. and i've been spitting it out. spitting it out. shallow. shallow. shallow. and it's my heart that sticks to you. i can see myself in your eyes (it's a shame). i can see my fear in your eyes. that's why I cut my knees on the floor. it's that same old scene it's played out. it's played out. as I come fully awake. in my skin. i feel betrayed by my eyes. i feel nothing. i swallowed my heart yesterday. and i've been spitting it out. spitting it out. ever since So Simple you think you don't fit in. but you're wrong. i am always there for you. treated bad when you were young. i don't know. how did you become so strong. are you leaving. time to go away. find a better place. try to get some attention. i don't really feel the need to hide. i used to know how just how to to show. it used to be so simple. how has everyone become so blind. to just how i feel. you know that i can't read your mind. you've got to try to tell me what you want in life. how long has it really been. looks like you've been taking quite a while. to make a big decision on your own. because of you. i've been left to face some things that i'm too afraid to do. i'll find a way. to glue the broken pieces back. then perhaps i'll listen to what you have to say Rooms if these ceilings could speak we'd never need a tv. so much life having gone on beneath. some old brown eyes that once stared above. whispering thoughts about getting on. and traveling places we'll never know. inside we're doing it all again. we're fucked up like we've always been. we're lucky we stand but it's alright. we do it all the time and we're getting by fine. the faces framed on your wall. laugh at you from their view. as you talk yourself into corners. of places you once knew. and i learned about you by going through your things. when your back was turned and my eyes wandering. pitctures tacked on a wall from five years ago. when there was less of you to know. when it was hard and long to think. these are the mirrors where we speak of our lives in the morning. with whatever light comes through. the bathroom window in white shapes that have. nothing to do with me or you. and who will see you off to work. walking snowed sidewalks and. disbelieving in the telephone poles. cause you hear the word heart too much. muttered on the radio by some fuck. as you close your eyes and count your knives. and try to make it all all right. and it's been hard and long to think. these are the rooms where we push off our days in the evening. with whatever light comes through. the bedroom windows in white shapes that have. nothing to do with me or you. what could have been don't ever tell. you don't know now and you never will Bells And Hammers flip through blank pages. for something that makes sense. not a worthless word so i'll tear them up. like love letters. i gave a note. to everyone i've ever known. i made a chord. and let it ring all alone. i wish there was a miracle in my fingertips. but there isn't. and i'll cry wolf, i'll cry fight. but you still won't listen. cause what everybody says makes no difference. and i'd swing for the stands. but i can't seem to hold the bat. and i'd find the perfect words. but i just can't read the map. and maybe if i could write just one thing. unmolested with poetry. or based on more than a true story. it could mean something. there are no heroes. without tragedies. and i'll never be one. cause nothing real has ever happened to me