Fastmusic Punk 2001, Various Artists
Here we go again with yet another punk rock sampler. This time it's the efforts of the Fastmusic label that go under the microscope with their rather unoriginally titled 'Punk 2001' compilation. And to be honest, like most samplers, this is worthy of your $5, but wouldn't be worth $10.
Most of the stuff on this CD is of the pop-punk variety, and being a fan of the genre I can pluck out a turkey from afar. And to be honest there aren't that many here. Actually, this records goes on well until the last dozen, which are utter crap. Opener 'Automatic' by Slab is one of the better tracks, unlike 'Teenage Electric' by the legendary Circle Jerks, which unfortunately should be given the bird...
Down By Law improve things slightly, and only slightly, with the generic 'Fly The Flag', before Sewing With Nancie give us one of their weaker tracks. SWN are at times superb and at others are simply dross. This lies in between, just very, very average, heard-it-all-before NFG wannabe stuff. This lot could actually make a name for themselves, it's just a pity that their best two tracks are covers...
I've never heard of the Gamits before (woe is me) but 'Bender' is an infectious slice of Green Day-esque pop that is definitely worthy of a second listen. You can also say the same about The Travoltas, who complete with hand-claps, come across like the younger sibling of the Teen Idols. Luckie Strike give us variation with some female vocals, but 'Danny Elfman Got Me Dressed Today' is, well, a bit rubbish really. So Fake I.D. make up for it with the cracking 'Six Ways From Sunday'. They're a bit Starting Line-ish, but if you like them, then you'll like this. It's simple maths.
Sloppy Meateaters are ok, and this track is ok, so there's nothing too shocking there then. Big things are expected of Autopilot Off who recently signed to a major, and 'Looking Up' is reasonably good, but I don't think we'll be seeing this lot on MTV just yet, if this song is the basis for most of their material. Two Man Advantage aren't on a major label, and to be honest it would be a travesty if they ever did make it. 'Saturday Night' is a certain contender for the worst track on the CD. It's a got job that 'Shattered Dreams' by Nuclear Saturday is good then, otherwise we'd be sinking into mediocrity. But it's a corking slab of fast and furious punk rock. Think MxPx at their fastest and most melodic. 'Tis good...
Agent Felix are another nearly-band. And 'Trying To Be Cool' shows exactly why. Makeshift3 sound like early Blink 182 but with better production. 'Paper Dolls' is fantastic, so good that I'm desperate for more by this lot. A genuine standout, make no bones about it. The Fairlanes have a hard act to follow and they don't quite pull it off, although 'Beautiful Ride' is worthy of your attention. And Veronica keep the good time srolling with the moog-tastic 'Take It Or Leave It'. It's punk with plenty of moog...it's interesting, let's put it that way.
Unsung Zeros are another band which could break out of the also-rans pack and join the big-boys if they had a bit of luck. And I'd recommend 'Always Will It Be The Same' to anyone wanting a starting point. Rufio are fantastic. And 'Above Me' has one of the best intro's that you'll ever hear. Buy this sampler just for this song...or better still buy the Rufio album. This lot will be big...very big. Following up next are The Sharpshooters. All I can say is, "NEXT!"
The Fonzarellies are ok. But to be honest I've heard this song at least three times already on this CD. It's not bad by any means, but it's just a bit obvious. Welton are ok, but really just read the above, it applies in the same way. The Line have a really distinctive singer, but their sound is a bit dull to be honest. 'Dead End Chump' wins the Allister Award for crappest song title, and unfortunately for Clearview 77, the title mirrors the band. The chorus is good though, so not all has been lost.
Switch Hitter...yawn...oh, and they have a munchkin on speed as a singer. Where do they get these guys? This people, is how you do NOT play punk rock. Poor. Piss poor. The Goodwill are much better, although N*Sync farting in the bath would be better. 'Through The Door' is as pop-punk-by-numbers as they come, with the melody mirroring a Midtown song, the name of which escapes me. Finally we have Broken Up who have a great intro but the song goes on a very downward spiral from then on.
The first two-thirds of this sampler is reasonably good. But there's only so much pop-punk you can listen to without being, well, bored. And that is saying something coming from me. Worth $5, but not a lot more.
Paul Savage
