Drinking from Puddles is an indie rock show on Portland's KBOO-FM. It's also the name of this compilation CD that gathers tracks both good and bad from in- studio performances. Like other compilations of its ilk, some will sud and others will thud. Let's take a looksee, okay?

"Dance Hall Music" (Murder City Devils): A great way to kick off an album. Even though this track lasts less than 90 seconds-- hell, it barely strides over the minute line-– the Devils know how to rock like the drunken deviants that they are.

"Hurricane" (Come): This, on the other hand, is five- plus minutes of a chick with an acoustic guitar. It's not Jewel, but that's still not saying much.

"Mr. Magazine Man" (Hazel): Classic Kill Rock Stars indie punk. This one almost had me moshing all over my room. Hard to believe that only a scant three years ago, Pete Krebs was rocking out like this. (You should check out his new folk- blues disc; it's quite good.)

"Nobody Else" (Obituaries): Another acoustic chick, but Monica Nelson actually has a good song in her. Reminds me of Kristin Hersh. What the hell am I gonna do when her track comes along?

"Cacophany #A" (Prolapse): Sounds like these kids like Sonic Youth, but don't exactly imitate them. Good.

"Butch" (Geraldine Fibbers): I was never a big fan, but this is definitely one of the standouts on Drinking from Puddles. The morose violin and cellos? Ooh, I'm a sucker for such rainy day gloom. God bless the Pacific Northwest!

"Lucky Jim" (Jeffrey Lee Pierce): And unlucky me. Sorry for such a cheap shot, but it's true. Ignore me unless you like whiny men who play obnoxious acoustic tunes.

"You're My Only One" (Cadallaca): This far- flung farfisa business isn't bad, but it's not hitting me in the right places. Maybe their much- talked- about debut release is better.

"Fuck" (Nicole Painter): You know what we need more of? If you said "boring spoken word," then you must be a relative of Nicole Painter. Quit cheerleading untalented relatives and get 'em a job at the Safeway. If not for my sake, for everyone else's.

"Taken by Surprise" (Poison Idea): And I was. Thundering, sloppy, catchy. Everything I wanted and more.

"Gazebo Tree" (Kristin Hersh): Another chick with an acoustic guitar. You're expecting a dis? Ha! She plays it pretty subtle and actually creates an engaging mood instead of scrambling for the nearest greeting card.

"Monsanto" (Pleasant Gehman): Here's some spoken word about taking drugs. I hear for her next trick, Gehman is going to invent something equally original called "the wheel." Look for it soon.

"Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands" (Elliott Smith): Yeah, he's "the name" on the disc that gets people to risk cash on acts they may not have otherwise heard. His track is another highlight as he takes one of XO's best songs and strips it down to guitar and a not- so- intrusive keyboard.

"Outta Money" (Gilly Ann Hanner): Here's a chick with an electric guitar! Heavens! "The cupboards are bare and the coffee is stale, we're both out of money so let's just yell," she sings. I don't get it. When she goes ahead and actually rhymes "money" with "honey," I realize it's time to move on...

"Aquamarine" (Cindy Lee Berryhill): ...To whatever this is. Do you know anyone who owns a Cindy Lee Berryhill record? Do you know anyone who professes to be a fan? She's made records for the past ten years and nobody likes her. Struggling musicians, this is your fate.

"Graveyard" (Dead Moon): It's that token Cramps- influenced surf- rock song that every untalented band has in them.

"We Dance" (Cat Power): Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power)-- another indie darling. You may not be surprised to find another track that's just a chick with a guitar, but it's intriguing. She's like that quiet guest at a party who you notice only on her way out the door. I'll have to check out more of her music.

"Pacific Blues" (Roger Manning): More acousticness. This is how you know it's public radio. Manning tosses a fabulous hook into the chorus. A definite keeper.

"Snowfell Summer" (Madigan): Tired of chicks with acoustic guitars? Here's a gal with a cello. I could hear Blondie doing this circa "Dreaming." Like the novelty, could take or leave the song.

"Song for Lon Mabon" (Crackerbash): A little bit Dead Kennedys, a little bit Dick Dale, a whole lotta poorly- recorded punk rock. Oh, well.

"Excerpt from Paradoxia: A Predator's Diary" (Lydia Lunch): ...And the listener escaped into the safe arms of sleep, hoping that he'd never have to hear the word "I" again.

"Sweet to My Soul" (Soul Junk): Some of that new time religion with some inspired babbling near the end. A great ending to an okay compilation.

-Jason Josephes