Warped Tour 2003, Various Artists
Compilations have been of a very good standard this year and the new Warped incarnation is no exception. I'm a big fan of samplers because I view them as an excellent way of being introduced to new bands and this record is no exception. With 52 tracks it's as big as ever and contains something for everyone - from Mest to Andrew WK, to Glassjaw and Dropkick Murphys.
The format is the usual with a mix of old and new, unreleased and familiar favourites and all choice cuts from bands on this years tour. Disc 1 really does have something for everyone and has a lot of standout tracks. The Used offer newie 'Just A Little' that isn't quite up to scratch, but NOFX and Less Than Jake weigh in with solid efforts. The first real standout is a new Thrice song from their upcoming new album and 'Under A Killing Moon' is a real shining light. No Use For A name and Face To Face are their good old solid selves, before a real hot streak featuring excellent tracks from Poison The Well, Rufio and Glassjaw. 'Finish Line' is an awesome Yellowcard track while the Chris Shiflet side-project Jackson prove their worth with 'All The Way'.
That old post-hardcore genre comes out to play in all its different guises with great songs from Senses Fail and Matchbook Romance, but one of the main highlights for me is the 'discovery' of Story of the Year, a The Used soundalike band who with a little spit and polish could carve a niche into the market with their own sound. On the basis of 'And The Hero Will Drown' we could have this years sleeper band on our hands. The Early November and Motion City Soundtrack hammer home some youthful exuberance with two great numbers, but Matt Skiba steals the show guesting on 'Pop Punk Band' by Avoid One Thing. It's a very funny 'homage' to the genre and worth checking out. It leaves an unreleased Taking Back Sunday (rip) track feeling a little left out. If this ends up being the last thing they do it means they'll have gone out with a whimper than a bang.
Side 2 doesn't live up to the heady heights of the first disc. It has more of a skate punk feel to it, certainly with a lot more of the older heads appearing on this side. Death By Stereo and US Bombs bring it home for the old-skool, while the Dropkick Murphys and Swingin' Utters use their Celtic influences to great effect. Rise Against and Audio Karate stand head and shoulders above the likes of Simple Plan and with tracks from Lagwagon, Allister and Mad Caddies proving to be worthy additions (although they have already been released elsewhere) you have a strong, but not amazing, second disc.
If it wasn't for the punk compilation CD I wouldn't like half the bands I do now. I grew up listening to the Punkoramas and the Fat compilations, so I'm all in favour of a decent record. Thankfully the new Warped record is as varied as they come and is two discs of listening pleasure.
www.sideonedummy.com
Paul
