What's Across The Pond?, Various Artists
If marks were given for sheer persistence, Eyesore Records would get full marks. For constantly reminding me about their review they get an extra star - for annoying the hell out of me they lose it. As much as I'd love to do Punktastic professionally, we can't - and if your review isn't seen for a month there usually is a reason, us reviewers like to have a holiday too y'know...
Anyway, 'What's Across The Pond' is a new compilation from the UK label with bands that are slowly making a name for themselves in the US. But does the world really need yet another compilation showcasing US bands and their talents? Probably not, although this record does a decent job at what it sets out to do and does feature some quality bands. As usual with compilations, it comes across as partly killer, partly filler. The likes of Park and Fall Out Boy are outstanding bands and their contributions are well worthy of checking out, but on the other hand Junction 18 and Tokyo Rose are average run-of-the-mill bands that shouldn't really see the light of day.
There are some great songs by some good bands. Drive Thru's very own The Starting Line and The Early November contribute two of the album's best songs, but chances are you've heard them before. Yellowcard feature as another big-hitter with the catchy 'Big Apple Heart Break' but it's the awesome Park who really are worth checking out. Infact if you've already purcahsed this, make the Park record your next. Over It and Staring Back make solid contributions too, even if I do feel there are plenty of UK bands who do this kind of thing just as well. Fallout Boy even go toe-to-toe with Kenny Vasoli and co in a bid to shake off their 'baby TSL' tag and come out with a victory on points. On the poor side, I'm not a fan of Tokyo Rose and Days Away and Plain White Ts stick far too rigidly to the pop-punk formula. When you put it up against the likes of TSL, there's absolutely no comparison.
At £5 it's worth your money, but there's nothing too pant-wettingly exciting on offer. It does serve as a useful tool if you haven't already got inmto many of the new school US pop-punk bands, but if like me you're already familiar with the majority of them, well, it's obviously not worth it. (Duh). A follow-up featuring the best UK bands would be very, very interesting if one is forthcoming...
Paul
