A fast emerging fundraising tool in Singapore, Songs for Sam is a compilation of songs by local musicians distressed about capital punishment. The album features a good mix of sound artists, drum and bass and rock. And it features a both fresh talents and old including X'Ho. "Die die must try to justify/And pick up sand/With ashes to ashes/Dust to dust/Die die must justify", a theatrical voice performance by Chris that is laughably addictive on 'Die Die Justify'.

The X parodies the state's stand on popular sentiment behind capital punishment and this track along with 'Happy For Everyone' by Ducky Star and Mick the Pick are the only ones that seems happy. Intense tracks like 'Distress Signal' (Ila Mitra) and 'Sam's Song' (Six T Nine), a nice blend of retro and rock, respectfully reveal the sentiments of how others are affected by Shanmugam. While sound art by Choir of Agony and Ying translates the idea of the death penalty without vocals.

Yes, this album is heavily intense but the spirit of musicians expressing through music whether advocating for justice like Mati Katak's 'Ropes of Death' or be it a tearful send off song by Zai Kuning and Zal Empty's 'Goodbye My Friends', is enough to applaud at. The proceeds of this album go towards the financially crippled family of Shanmugam who has two sons and an aging mother. You may have your own views about the death penalty in Singapore, this album from Lion City DIY Records silently advocates for that but the pressing issue is to bring awareness about those affected by the death penalty and in this case, the family of Shanmugam. (www.scarling.net)