Take Action Volume 3, Various Artists
Another day another sampler CD. You can tell it's Christmas. Anyway, this one is certainly one of the ebst to have hit the shelves this year, is great value for money and is for an exceptionally good cause. What more could you ask for? 'Unreleased tracks' I hear you cry...and yes, this doesn't have very many, but at 45 tracks for a budget price, this is still well worthy of being in your collection.
'Take Action Vol 3' has a portion of its proceeds going towards the National Hopeline Network to help prevent suicide in the US. It's a worthy cause and is only belittled with an embarrassing public service announcement from Ryan of Poison The Well. Poor fella, he opens up the CD with a scripted piece which doesn't exactly work too well. From here on in mind, it's goodness all the way. The big names are here and over the course of two CDs there is certainly something for everyone. Thrice, Thursday and Boysetsfire all come up trumps with tracks from their recent records, while Silverstein, Rise Against and Slick Shoes are all worthy additions. Avenged Sevenfold show why they are rated so highly and Shai Hulud also show they will be missed after their recent demise. Then there are the bands who I hadn't heard too much of, the likes of Vaux and Throwdown, both of whom make an impact with their gritty, yet at times melodic, stylings. So mostly hardcore, or of that ilk, but that's just disc one...
CD2 is more of the same, an acutely gathered mix of pop-punk and emo, even taking in a few anmes you maybe wouldn't have first thought of, and it's this diversity which helps the compilation's cause. The Ataris throw in rarity 'A Beautiful Mistake' which was discarded at the last minute from 'So Long Astoria', while Yellowcard and Rufio throw in some speedy melodic pop for good measure. Senses Fail and Further Seems Forever mark up the emo card, while the likes of Armor For Sleep, Cursive and The Jazz June sit nicely alongside the likes of Elliott and Small Brown Bike. As mentioned previously, diversity is the key. Of course there are a few bad tracks, but mainly this is a good record that is worthy of a place in your collection.
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Paul
