Album review: Various artists, ‘Keep Boston Safe 2015’

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Keep Safe Boston 2015

For its second annual offering, Keep Safe Boston has brought together dozens of artists and bands from all corners of the Boston rock map. The 55-song compilation is being offered as a download, with proceeds and encouraged donations going to the Somerville domestic violence group Respond Inc. Exclusive songs from the likes of Chris Duggan (the Goddamn Draculas) and Kevin Stevenson (the Shods), Feints, Emily Grogan, Analog Heart, and Le Roxy Pro are featured — the last group’s swaying surf-rock atmospherics of “Hold on Tight” a particular standout. The strident, pop-punk of the October Accord’s “Better Without You” is another revelation, while Guillermo Sexo’s “Graffiti Sky” cuts a striking melodic figure through layers of guitar effects. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Grownup Noise’s “Swim” offers plaintive acoustic wanderings. It’s undoubtedly all for a good cause, but it’s also a good thing to have such a handy primer to the state of Boston rock. (Out now at www.keepsafeboston.bandcamp.com)

LUKE O’NEIL

ESSENTIAL “Hold on Tight”