Jumbo Audio Project provides eclectic taste

With an eclectic set of refreshingly talented artists, Jumbo Audio Project never gets boring as each track has its own innovative and bright sound. The CD features nineteen Tufts student artists and is definitely worth the more than reasonable (and charitable) $5, which can be paid with points at the bookstore. Artists include campus names such as Eshena, Brad Callow, CRUMBS, Katie McD and several others with equally surprising and diverse sounds.

The CD opens with a techno vibe and is then smoothed over by Eshena's fluid vocals in "Groove with You." The CD then transitions from techno instrumentals to spoken hip hop with a catchy back beat. This is followed with a dramatic shift to an undeniably upbeat tune by Katie McD. Despite her unstable vocals, the song is carried by varied instrumentals.

We are then transported to the emo and melancholy sound of Bunk 9's "ADD." The lyrics "Drink beer and smoke yourself dumb" are conducive to the overall depressed feeling of the song. After melodiously whining along with Bunk 9, we are seduced with the sexy duet "Affection" by Idealty, accompanied by the soothing and rhythmic vocals of Eshena.

After being sexed up by "Affection" we are bobbing our head's the surfer rock reminiscent tune, "Someday." Its mixture of relaxing jazz-like guitar and muted lyrics bring us into the realm of jam bands and singer-songwriters like Jack Johnson. This is followed by a sultry hip hop tune "Baby Grrrl" which precedes "Ordinary Lie," by Human -- one of the most satisfying tracks on the album. The bands show their dexterity with a wide range of sounds and an excellent intro. This track would be great for driving, studying, or just general winding down.

Human is immediately matched and possibly surpassed by Nico Juber's "Free." This song's advanced lyrics, silky vocals, and overall uplifting feeling ensured its slot as my favorite track on the CD.

After "Free" we are back to our initial hip hop sound with Afro DZak's "Ask How." With well-timed rhymes and steady beats, this track inevitably induces some amount of at least subtle dancing. We are then confronted with a completely different sound but similar movement in Tom Keidal's "The Dice." This song is tricky, however, because the balanced instrumentals tend to mask the incredibly violent lyrics.

"Danielle" by Ethan Schwartz is undoubtedly a downer but does not lack in efficacy. The poignancy of this song is guaranteed to affect the listener in some form. After being brought to tears by "Danielle," we are assaulted with the angry thud of CRUMBS's "Ironmic." Thankfully the mood changes again with an enlightening piano piece, "Daybreak," by Jonathan Dimsdale. The sound is reminiscent of Vanessa Carlton, minus the vocals and with a slight jazz and classical influence.

Brought out this relaxed state, we are transported back to a more aggressive punk feel with YGS' "Hold Me Down." This is then contrasted by Brad Callow's range and effective storytelling. These factors make "Quiet" one of the superior tracks on the CD. The album continues on this high as we transition into Angie Brice's quick-paced "Warning." In addition to a majority of fast and slightly spoken lyrics, we do encounter glimpses of Brice's impressive vocal ability.

As we approach the CD's finale All My Timed's "Drowned" offers an appropriate crescendo to the end of a musical selection. Here we also find the most advanced range of any male singer on the album.

Finally, the CD concludes with an ultimately uplifting and heartening tune by Alan Cohen. You can't help but like "Locked Up (The Cookies Song)" with lyrics like "There's too much hate in the world, but not too much cookies."

And on that note, you can't help but enjoy the CD as a whole, as it caters to a collective and assorted taste. Tufts artists are definitely a worthwhile listen on Jumbo Audio Project.

This Friday night, 15 bands will be performing at the Cohen Auditorium, most of them from the CD, although some are not. This will be the first show to put Tufts' artists in such a large arena like Cohen, according to Concert Board head Jordan Kolasinski.

Concert tickets are only $3 and can be bought at the Cohen box office all week.

The show is Friday, doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30pm.