Atticus & Side One Dummy 'Dragging the Lake 3', Various Artists
Should fashion really play a big role in alternative music? Well that’s a potential thesis all on its own, especially when you could argue that alternative music is actually a fashion anyway. But punk isn’t about fashion? Well I’m sure Vivienne Westwood would say otherwise but without further ado, I introduce the third instalment of Dragging the Lake, the compilation series by Atticus clothing and Side One Dummy records.
Hardly a day goes by where I don’t see some kid draped head to toe in Atticus, so when this comp arrived in the post I was eager to see what music I could associate to the ever so popular brand (as if I didn’t already know). And well, let’s just say I wasn’t surprised but I was still left heavily disappointed; luckily I’ve avoided contact with volumes 1 and 2. A fashionable clothing brand releasing a compilation is bound to contain bands who are, well, in fashion. All the usual suspects are present on this comp; BLINK 182, TBS, MCS, FOB, etc. Essentially if you like any of these bands you will more than likely love this compilation as it’s full of much the same, if you don’t however, there’s hardly anything else to make this worth bothering with. At least it's consistent. They say variety is the spice of life; well this compilation must be the equivalent of a strawberry milkshake.
The majority of tracks are already available on the artists own albums, so even for the avid fans that collect all they can by their favourite bands this comp will be disappointing. Synths may be in vogue at present, but VCR and THE SOUNDS both offer equally cringe-worthy efforts. MXPX prove they are past their best and NAME TAKEN are really quite overrated if this is anything to go by. By and large this compilation is loaded with saccharine and inoffensive music which does not so much challenge the listener but bore them into submission; FALL OUT BOY offer up a huge chunk of acoustic mediocrity and GRATITUDE’s song could have been recorded by a large number of other featured bands. The exceptions are few and far between and hopes are rested with RISE AGAINST, LUCERO, PIEBALD and BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH who break the mould and offer something different, however, on a 24 track release this isn’t really tipping the balance if you see what I mean. Dragging the Lake? Dredging the Canal would seem more appropriate at times.
-Mike
