Sorepoint Records compilation, Various Artists
Pound for pound, this is one of the best compilations released this year. Perhaps because it's free, you cannot complain that the 12 tracks on offer here are not value for money. But while there is the odd track which escapes the quality threshold, all in all this compilation serves as an apt reminder about the strength of the Sorepoint roster. This 12-tracker is available free to anyone who buys any Sorepoint Records release, for a limited time only. It's a great idea and serves as a sampler for the artists on the label's roster. That includes 'heavyweights' such as Brand New and Fallout Boy, this year's breakthrough talents such as The Bled and Alexisonfire and our good friends in My Awesome Compilation.
While the Alexisonfire track doesn't get things off to the greatest of starts, it's fairly indicative of the band's latest record 'Watch Out'. I prefer the first album personally, but when you come up against the thumping 'You Know Whose Seatbelt' by The Bled, there's only going to be one winner. The first two songs actually show how varied the label is, switching from the brutal and chaotic to the keyboard-laden The AKA's in the swift blink of an eye. But it's the run of the next four tracks which make this compilation. MAC run through the glorious 'As Always', Jesse Lacey takes the solo stage to perform a powerful acoustic version of Brand New's 'The Quiet Things That No-one Ever Knows', while 'Blinders' is a very good taste of what to expect from Chris Shiflett's side-project, Jackson Utd.
But the standout for me is the Rocky Votolato track, which reminds me of a 21-st century Rod Stewart. 'The Light and The Sound' is a gorgeous track and I shall certainly be checking out more. Throw in some Recover, Salem and a Further Seems Forever classic track, and by the time Fallout Boy perform a rosuing acoustic rendition of 'Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy', you've got a solid and varied compilation which will keep you going during the many dark nights ahead. Great value for money, if only all samplers were this good.
www.sorepointrecords.com
Sorepoint
Paul
