Surefire Distribution is a company out of Somerville, MA. They distribute records from all over the globe, from over 700 independent labels. The 35 songs on this two-disc compilation represent artists from 12 of the 700 labels. The labels include Recordhead, Fierce Panda, Damaged Goods, Bulb, Jammyland, Wabana, Arf!Arf!, Spirit of Orr, Ba Da Bing!, Super 8, Smalltown Supersound, and Villa Villakula and are distributed almost exclusively by Surefire. And, hence, the title of the disc Genre Non-Specific is just that -- a various artists compilation that features different genres of music. The variety of the tracks makes for very stimulating listening. And unlike many compilations, where there may be only one or two tracks that stand out, Genre Non-Specific has many great moments. While the majority of the disc's content is straight-ahead indie-rock, this compilation has something for just about every kind of independent music fan. One of the better indie rock tracks is Yume Bitsu's swirly, melancholy "I Wait for You." The retro stylings of Holly Golightly and Billy Childish are sleek and very listenable, too. The tracks by legendary space cadet Lucia Pamela as well as those by the Litter, Starlites, and Moving Parts come from Arf!Arf! Records, which is a label specializing in '60s garage/psychedelia and -Incredibly Strange Music. Fans of Jamaican music should note tracks by Laurel Aitken and Lloyd Charmers & the Hippy Boys, brought to you by the label Jammyland. There are a few odd pieces that stick out like a sore thumb, such as Yours Truly's new wave/synthy "Qualms & Misgivings," which is vaguely reminiscent of Berlin and Kraftwerk. The blues genre is covered by Deluxx on their track Blues Championship, albeit in a twisted, warped fashion. There is also plenty of emo and a little punk on Non Genre-Specific, though it tends to be mediocre and forgettable. And there is even a drum'n'bass track, DJ Scud's "Mash the Place Up!!!" While all of the tracks are culled from previously released albums/EPs and reissues, this record is still an excellent sampler of independent artists, living and dead, on independent labels. ~ Ajda Snyder, All Music Guide