Kindercore Records continued its influence in the world of indie pop and rock with 1998's
Seven Summers: International Pop, Vol. 2. The disc brings American indie pop acts with pop bands from around the globe. The collection opens with La Beuna Vida's jangly "Tardes de Cafe." Athens, GA's
Masters of the Hemisphere are featured on "My Cloud," led by Bren Mead's steady lead vocals, while San Francisco's
#Poundsign# is led by Alicia Vanden Heuvel's soothing lead. Michigan's
Shoestrings offer a pop-filled and orchestral cover of Barkhordari Bicycle Club's "Theme From 'Kiss Me Goodnight'." Sweden's
Acid House Kings add a definite international flare to the mix with "Paris."
Kincaid., featuring Kindercore's Dan Gellar and Ryan Lewis, steps in with "Trackside," complete with horns and Greg Harmelink's lush vocals. France's
Watoo Watoo contributes relaxed guitar strums and sly vocals on "The Golden Castle," which is followed by Karen Stephen's enthusiastic vocals on
Bunnygrunt's punky "My Darling, My Jackhammer," an ode to the St. Louis band My Darling Little Jackhammer.
Cessna's whimsical "Explain to Me Again" is followed by "Number One" by the Autumn Teen Sound, the project of March Records (who released the first volume of Seven Summers: International Pop) owner Skippy McFadden.
Gritty Kitty's contemplative "Summer Rain" adds a touch of gracefulness to the collection. Sweden's
Red Sleeping Beauty offers the reserved singalong on "You Are the Kind," while "Love" by the Legendary Bang closes the disc. Kindercore released the disc with the assistance of Germany's TweeNet Communications. ~ Stephen Cramer