Loud Merch Presents Volume One, Various Artists
After purchasing a Race The Sun shirt from Loudmerch.com, I was surprised to find a stack of goodies with my package - suffice to say these guys really know how to look after their customers! Among the freebies was the firm's newest compilation, a 17-track CD which features a stack of bands of different styles which mainly come from the New Jersey area. From hardcore to pop-punk, ska to emo, this compilation covers all bases and is an excellent introduction to a stack of new bands. Infact, I feel like I've found two or three new bands that could easily make an impact on a much wider scale, and having released two compilations myself, I know there's no higher praise than finding new bands on a sampler CD.
There are plenty of standout bands on this record that are worthy of checking out. Race The Sun are a band that I've completely fallen in love with; they remind me of 'S/T'-era New Found Glory, a band that are bouncier than jelly on a space hopper and with more melodies than the Backstreet Boys. If there's a better "new" pop-punk band around than RTS, then please let me know who they are. The Escape Engine and We're All Broken are pretty good slabs of post-hardcore, while Madison sound a lot like Senses Fail circa the EP - and that's even before Buddy Nielsen guests with some vocals. The Rookie's 'Show Me Who You Really Are' is another track which shows plenty of promise, while Paulson stick out for me as being a band that have really snuck in under the radar. With drum beats sampled and lots of melodies, these guys are certainly ones to keep a very close eye on.
There are a few songs which don't cut the mustard - The Killing Gift and Angel of the Odd don't really pass muster with me, for instance - but any compilation that has at least two-thirds of good honest songs, for just $6 (£4) is a must-buy. The fact that you get a shirt thrown in for free, makes Volume One well worthy of your time...
www.loudmerch.com
Paul
