V/A – Take Action Volume 9

In 1999, Hopeless/Sub City Records released the first Take Action compilation with a slew of quality musicians lending their support to the cause. Bands like Alkaline Trio, Hot Water Music, TSOL, and Link 80 dominated the 28-track lineup. It was good music for a good cause (to date, $450,000 has been raised for several charities through the sale of these Take Action albums).

A lot has changed over the course of the nine editions of the Take Action series. Musically, the focus has shifted from punk rock to what I can only describe as “whiny, bitchy emo crap.” Looking at all nine compilations, the level of quality has exponentially taken a turn for the worse year after year — or maybe I’m just not down with hearing about teen angst issues at 28 years old. Nonetheless, this double-disc compilation features bands like We The Kings, The Swellers, Cobra Starship, and Taking Back Sunday.

The first disc contains mostly acoustic cuts that pretty much all sound the same. But not all the tracks on the first disc are acoustic: “Fool Everyone” by A Rocket To The Moon is a dance club track which really doesn’t fit on this album. Some of the other non-acoustic tracks represent the over-produced super poppy sounds that dominate what used to be the “independent” music scene. One of the only bright spots on the first disc would have to be Frank Turner’s acoustic track “Rock and Roll Romance,” for the fact it sounded completely different than the other music featured.

Having to listen to the first half of this album was utter torture to the ears. Like being strapped down in a chair and having Paramore and Fall Out Boy blasting away at your eardrums. Drained and weary, I popped in the second disc. Disc two is dominated by “remixes” that remind me why I stay out of dance clubs. Eight tracks into the second disc you will find “Indonesia” by August Burns Red, a hardcore track that wakes me up a bit with its double-bass drumbeat and ear-gouging vocals. “xxBurritoxx” by Eatmewhileimhot follows next with another hardcore track, but unfortunately the album ends with more men singing like girls.

My advice to those who like this new indie sound is if you see some bands on here you like, chances are you will discover more by picking this up and giving it a spin. It’s not my cup of tea, but I dig those who give to those in need, so make the seven-buck purchase and make a change.

(Sub City Records, PO Box 7495, Van Nuys, CA 91409)

VARIOUS ARTISTS - UNSOUND

Say goodbye to the PUNK-O-RAMA compilations and introduce yourself to its replacement, UNSOUND. In an attempt to give the Epitaph label a facelift, UNSOUND features the new breed of Epitaph bands that come with a screamo/emo sound. Hip-hop artists Sage Frances and Dangerdoom also contribute to this title. It's as though Epitaph is attempting to ride the ever-changing trend of bands having an MTV appeal (screaming 20-somethings who wear too much eye shadow). This album also includes a DVD filled with 10 music videos from bands like From First to Last and Bad Religion. Fans of the defunct PUNK-O-RAMA series should be hesitant in picking this up. Epitaph isn't the Southern California punk label it once was. Besides a few decent tracks, there isn't much worth getting excited about here.

(Review originally appeared in the July 2006 issue of Skratch Magazine)

VARIOUS ARTISTS - CLASS PRIDE WORLD WIDE 3

Highlighting the very best of Insurgence Records, CLASS PRIDE WORLD WIDE 3 smacks us across the face with 22 punk-rock and hardcore tracks from artists all across the globe. Many of the tracks featured on this disc deal with the theme of the plight of the working-class man and his never-ending grudge with the corporate police-state world he lives in. It's punk in its purist form. I got a kick listening to German kraut-rock band Freiboiter with their track "Schone Neue Welt". Actually, I enjoyed all the foreign selections quite a bit—maybe more than the U.S. and Canadian tracks. In all, this disc is well worth picking up if you're looking for something new and unheard of.

(Review originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of Skratch Magazine)

VARIOUS ARTISTS - PRIMOSONIC RHYTHMS VOL 2

Ska isn't dead. Nor is this album, by a long shot. This disc is filled with some great ska, dub, reggae, and rocksteady tracks from some of California's best skankin' acts. The Aggolites provide some great dub with the first track, "Black Lung". Its sound is reminiscent of Lee Perry from the early 1970s. Chris Murray's one-man ska act contributes the moving song "Fourth of July". Monkey represents the Northern California ska sound with pride with "Sound System". This is perhaps one of the best compilations I have heard in years. Spark it up, my friends, and enjoy!

(Review originally appeared in the December 2005 issue of Skratch Magazine)