You'll Never Eat Fast Food Again, Various Artists
New punk label Drive-Thru, home to the likes of New Found Glory, Midtown and Fenix TX, release their fourth sampler, featuring a mix of ska and pop-punk.
With 22 tracks from 12 bands, the immediate signs are good for a bargain price of just £5 ($8). However, there is one immediate problem, as only 6 of these tracks are unreleased, so, if like me, you are fan of any of these bands then it is more than likely that you will already own the vast majority of these tracks. This is the only major letdown as the CD as a whole is choc-full of quality tunes.
New Found Glory kick off proceedings, and like corporate whores start with 'Hit or Miss,' which is featured on both of their albums, and other compilations. But as the song is so good, it doesn't really matter too much. Also featured is the superb '3rd and Long.' Allister bring their very own brand of pop-punk to the fore with the catchy, if lyrically silly, 'Jacob,' and the better than average 'Friday Night.'
Caught Inside are not a band that I am particularly familiar with, but 'Solstice' and 'John Bobbit' sound impressive, even if they were clearly recorded in a garage. They come across like an early New Found Glory and MxPx with a very tinny sound.
Cousin Oliver bring a bit of brass to the party, and are certainly one band to watch out for in the future, even though the guy's vocals could be quite infuriating over a whole album. The RX Bandits also include elements of ska, although they are certainly more punk than the likes of Less Than Jake and the Mad Caddies, to which there have been comparisons.
The superb Midtown include a couple of tracks from their brilliant 'Save the World, Lose the Girl' album, and Mothermania are another band that show plenty of promise.
The Wrens let the side down slightly with some pretty sub-standard fare, and the Fenix TX track, 'Minimum Wage,' is one of the weaker ones from their self-titled album. Last Summer sound so familiar it is terrifying, it's just I can't quite put my finger on who exactly they are ripping off.
Unless you already own albums by the bands on this comp, it is definetly a must buy. After a couple of listens I guarantee you'll be looking to get more from the bands on this label.
Paul Savage
