Raskol Records - 19 Songs By 18 bands, Various Artists
I received this compilation on June 21 - yep, it's taken THAT long for me to review it. I wish I had a really good excuse for being slack, but the only one I could muster is that my cd player wouldn't read the CD-R so I had to use my PC for listenage. The fact that said cd player and PC are less than a foot away from each other is the most appalling part of the tale. Anyway, the review is here now (finally) and that's the most important part. Basically the fine folks at Raskol Records decided to put together a compilation of 19 tracks and then donate some of the funds to charity - what a blinding idea. Unfortunately, while the concept is one that deserves your cash, the CD itself isn't one of the best you will come across this year.
Pencil Head kick things off with the ska tinged 'The Aforementioned Rap' which is pretty much an uneventful beginning. The band actually feature twice, their second effort is much, much better incidentally. But like any compilation, there are the usual cuts of great and crap bands. Veda are passable, The Day I Snapped likeable but spoiled by a terrible recording and All About Adam are impressive. And that's basically exactly what happens throughout the whole record - for every three tracks one will impress, one will pass you by and the other will bore you rigid.
Muff are extremely good, or at least they are on the basis of 'I'm Sorry', coming across like Rufio with a distinct British twist. Misled Youth do ska reasonably well, but it's Fallout 40, probably the biggest name on the sampler, that stick out like a sore thumb. A real quality band, it surely won't be too long before they get snapped up by someone. Best name award goes to The Skarsoles; just give these kids a decent producer and they could be something rather nice indeed, while 8 Page Pullout could also make a name for themselves on the local circuit at least if 'Girl With The Green Eyes' is anything to go by. Sure it's cliched and there's no reason why the singer should have a Yank accent, but they do their pop-punk thing quite well.
'19 Songs by 18 bands' is a worthy addition to your collection if you want to see what Raskol Records has to offer, but there have been better compilations this year. Still, make that donation to a good cause, they need your cash more than you do.
www.raskolrecords.com
Paul
