Good Sponge Records is pleased to announce the release of the Good Sponge Sampler Vol. II, a compilation of 18 freshly-minted songs from 18 southeastern Connecticut-affiliated bands/artists. Following up on last year's Vol. I, the Good Sponge Sampler Vol. II offers a diverse sampling of roots rock/Americana/singer-songwriter/rock artists associated with the region. From the opening New Orleans-fueled blues of the Sue Menhart Band, to the warm country lilt of Hannah Fair, to the groovy, theremin-tinged space rock of the album's closer by Dave Rave, the Good Sponge Sampler Vol. II offers a consistently solid musical ride throughout. The individual tracks stand on their own, but are also meant to work together as a whole. The overall listening experience is not unlike coming across your favorite FM station on the dial: you may not know all the songs or artists, but it's all music you should enjoy listening to. Don't just take our word for it... the reviews are rolling in: "The latest evidence of New London bands proving that the whole can be greater than a sum of its parts: the new anthology album Good Sponge Sampler II. Just like last year’s first volume, this new round-up of New London local talent impresses not just with its confident performances but with articulate words and well-played melodies." -Chris Arnott, CT.com The sampler, running the gamut from traditional folk to blues-rock and back again, is definitely worth celebrating for the sheer scope of diverse styles it covers so capably. It’s a goodie bag, really. Fans of American roots music in Eastern Connecticut need look no further than their own backyard for a new fix. -Brandon Cox, Norwich Bulletin "(The Good Sponge Sampler Vol. II) contains 18 songs from some of Southeastern Connecticut’s best musicians. (It's) a great way to hear some of these musicians that mostly fly under the radar of the modern music industry." –JP's Music Blog The Good Sponge Sampler Vol. II features new or current tracks from: Sue Menhart Band, The Rivergods, Josi Davis, Chris MacKay & The Toneshifters, Hannah Fair, Carl Franklin, Amalgamated Muck, Ken Atkins & Honkytonk Kind, Dogbite, Matt Gouette, Lauren Agnelli, Vincent Tuckwood, Doug Woolverton & Carl Franklin, Nancy Parent, Dirt Road Radio, Black Marmot, Burnouts From Outer Space, Dave Rave Produced by Ben Parent and Carl Franklin