Punk-O-Rama 8, Various Artists
The sun is out, girls are wearing less, I have to find a job and the new Punk-O-Rama is here. It can only mean that summer has come upon us. The original and arguably best punk rock compilation is here again in it's eighth outing, and is bigger and better than ever with 35 tracks gracing two CD's. The usual suspects such as NOFX, Rancid, Bad Religion all feature along with a few new faces such as Matchbook Romance, Ikara Colt, Transplants... And Hip Hop.
This has been a thorny issue for punk fans everywhere since Epitaph signed Sage Francis, and there are a total of three urban sounds on the album, and they are all superb tracks. People tend to generalise commercial rap into the whole scene, much as people generalise with the Punk genre, but the track by Francis on CD1 is outstanding and I suggest some people take their blinkers off and expand there horizons. Atmosphere also chips in with a 'proper bo' track as well.
But what for the rest of the album? The first CD features oldies from The Distillers and Rancid, backed up by songs off their latest releases such as Hot Water Music, NOFX, Randy, Sugarcult and The Ikara Colt. 'The Black Keys' produce a slice of genuine 60's stoner music in 'Thickfreakness' and F-Minus donate a a particularly stunning effort with 'Sweating Blood'. Officially my new favourite song is 'The Greatest Fall of all Time' by The Matchbook Romance. I now eagerly await their full length in the autumn.
The second CD features new tracks by The Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise and Millencolin. 'Holiday in the sun' is Pennywise by numbers, but the new track by The 'Murphys bodes extremely well for there forthcoming 'Blackout' album. The Millencolin song is superb as well, but then I am biased with them being one of my all time favourites. Tiger Army and US Bombs chip in with a couple of strong tracks before the awesome Raised Fist blow me away with the mind blowing 'Get this right!’ It unleashes a volley of noise on your ears that is quite amazing. Another unreleased track by Bad Religion and a shoddy Transplants remix complete this Punk Rock journey.
There really is very little reason for you not to buy this compilation; it covers all punk rock bases with street punk, pop punk, hardcore, a bit of 'screamo' (I'll never get used to that term) and all this for the princely sum of a fiver. How could you possibly say no? Along with the Warped Tour comp you won't find a better collection of songs. Go and buy it.
Jay
