Piece Of Cake 20 Years Of Ryko

Piece Of Cake: 20 Years Of Ryko

Piece Of Cake: 20 Years Of Ryko is a wide-ranging celebration of the music associated with Rykodisc, bringing together an eclectic selection of artists from across alternative rock, indie, experimental music, Americana, jazz-influenced sounds and beyond. Released in 2003 as a promotional CD associated with MOJO magazine, this compilation offers a snapshot of the adventurous musical tastes and diverse catalogue that made Rykodisc an important name for listeners seeking something beyond the mainstream.

The tracklist reads like a meeting point between influential underground favourites, distinctive singer-songwriters and artists who have consistently followed their own musical paths. Big Star open with the enduring power-pop of “Thank You Friends”, while Warren Zevon, Frank Zappa and The Replacements bring their individual approaches to songwriting, rock and irreverence. The Flaming Lips contribute “Chrome Plated Suicide”, and Morphine's “Cure For Pain” highlights the distinctive alternative sensibility that helped make the band such a singular presence in American rock.

Elsewhere, the selection moves through the atmospheric indie rock of Galaxie 500, the idiosyncratic musical world of Robert Wyatt, and the roots-oriented songwriting of Alejandro Escovedo and Kelly Willis. Toumani Diabaté introduces the sounds of Malian music, while the Spanish Harlem Orchestra brings a Latin jazz dimension to the collection. The inclusion of Bill Hicks adds a spoken-word element, reinforcing the compilation's willingness to move beyond conventional genre boundaries.

With contributions spanning established names, cult artists and more exploratory corners of the musical landscape, Piece Of Cake: 20 Years Of Ryko is an engaging listen for fans of alternative music and a useful document of the breadth of artists represented across the Rykodisc-associated catalogue. Whether you're drawn to classic indie rock, left-field songwriters, experimental sounds or discovering unexpected connections between artists, this compilation offers plenty to explore.

Originally issued in 2003 as a MOJO magazine promotional CD, this release is particularly relevant to collectors of magazine covermount CDs, music compilations and material documenting the alternative music landscape of the early 2000s.

Tracklist

1. Big Star – Thank You Friends (3:02)

2. Josh Rouse – Slaveship (3:10)

3. Warren Zevon – Numb As A Statue (4:05)

4. The Fire Theft – Chain (3:41)

5. The Flaming Lips – Chrome Plated Suicide (5:43)

6. Frank Zappa – I'm The Slime (3:34)

7. Morphine – Cure For Pain (3:12)

8. Pilot To Gunner – Barrio Superstarrio (2:54)

9. Meat Puppets – Plateau (2:20)

10. Toumani Diabate – Jarabi (3:37)

11. Robert Wyatt – Lullaby For Hamza (4:28)

12. Spanish Harlem Orchestra – Mama Guela (3:32)

13. The Replacements – I Will Dare (3:16)

14. Soul Asylum – Freaks (3:31)

15. Alejandro Escovedo – Crooked Frame (4:01)

16. Joe Jackson Band – Still Alive (3:40)

17. Galaxie 500 – Fourth Of July (5:35)

18. Spain – Untitled #1 (6:35)

19. Kelly Willis – Wait Until Dark (3:41)

20. Kelly Joe Phelps – Window Grin (3:52)

21. Bill Hicks – More War (2:14)