Posted on December 31, 2009 - by Editor

Album Reviews: Compilations

Fat Wrecktrospective
Various
Fat Wreck Chords

I’m sure most reviews are going to pay similar positive tributes about this terrific set from Fat Wreck, and so they should. The label for one is as engrained in punk rock as punk rock itself and after 20 hard working years and 280 releases Fat Wreck gives us this massive gem of 88 songs spread over three hours and 45 minutes. The roster on Fat for over 20 years reads as a who’s who of modern punk rock, and as much as the three CD set is a nostalgic trip running through songs you may have neglected of late, it’s also a rediscovery of bands forgotten and bands that may have passed you by.

Their own press release accompanying the release says “over the past few months we here at Fat engaged in many long discussions, heated debates, and, ultimately, an office mud wrestling match in order to determine a track list that we thought was worthy of representing Fat.” That in itself is a near impossible task and selections will always stoke debate but they have done damn good job in my opinion.

Included in the box set is a is a fold out poster which includes all the releases and summaries and little anecdotal stories from bands on how they got signed to Fat Wreck Chords as well as Fat Mike’s take on the history of the label, which is perhaps as sincere and honest as I have seen the controversial man write!

The breakdown of the set is as follows; the first disc is a greatest hits collection from Fat, featuring 33 bands. The second disc features 28 previously unreleased demos which is an interesting listen it its own right with the third disc ,the first CD release of the  limited Fat Club 7” series.

Disc1: Fattest Hits

The 33 song “greatest hits” disc calls on the some of the biggest names from Fat’s illustrious roster; NOFX, Propagandhi, Lagwagon, Strung Out, No Use For A Name, Face to Face, Good Riddance, Rise Against, Less Than Jake, Anti-Flag, Screeching Weasel, Mad Caddies, Lawrence Arms etc. It’s always a matter of opinion and a debate better left to the bar room on who should make it onto any compilation but there are some interesting omissions (the Loved Ones, The Flatliners, American Steel ?)

None the less, the 80 minute road trip is an excellent homage to a fine label and punk rock in general, with the songs varying in pace, and generally transcending genre boundaries leaving a smile etched all over my stubbly face.

Disc2: Demos

Disc 2 features 28 previously unreleased demo tracks and hence the poorest recording quality of the three discs. I love it though and it’s an insight into what passes through the hands at the label when bands try and represent themselves and how the songs have been fleshed out into a final version.

Flatliners “Eulogy”, The Lawrence Arms “On With The Show”, Lagwagon’s “Bury The Hatchet”, Mad Caddies, Anti Flag and so many more stoking another debate on whether the bands final direction with a song meets with your approval or if these edgier and raw versions should have made the cut?

Disc3: Fat 7” Club

The final 27 track disc (and further 70 off minute listening pleasure) is the entire Fat Club 7″ series released on CD for the first time which on its own is worth the price of the entire set. Some bands make their first appearance on the Wrecktrospective such as Strike Anywhere, Mxpx, and The Vandals.

This final disc is such a great addition to any collector who missed out on the Fat Club and completes the trilogy of discs perfectly.

Perhaps it is the nostalgic effect of running through this set but I miss the collections like the “Fat Music” compilation series and similar offerings from other labels. As much as the digital age has rocked the music industry and independents like Fat to the ground; the romantic side of me would love to see the series return. It’s become ever more challenging to discover new favourite bands as the glut of them swamp the internet and these collections made the hunt so much easier as you put your faith in a reliable label, and Fat is still near the top of that list in my opinion.

This Is Psychobilly- 25 Years Of Rockin’ And Wreckin’
Various
Cherry Red Records

The Wikipedia definition of Psychobilly is “a fusion genre of rock music that mixes elements of punk rock, rockabilly, and other genres. Psychobilly is often characterized by lyrical references to science fiction, horror lurid sexuality, and other topics generally considered taboo, though often presented in a comedic or tongue-in-cheek fashion.” Not to undermine this great three set collection celebrating 25 years of Psychobilly, but that nails it on the head!

The three CD’s, each with 23 songs is a ‘best of’ in many ways, from the bands it includes and the songs of course, and ignoring geographic bias in its selection. For any lifelong fan of the genre or newbie really, this is a useful addition to expose you to the powerful tracks drenched in horror film-imaged psychobilly.

The one negative aspect is that The Cramps refused to have their music included, a big dent to any “comprehensive psycho” tag, but that aside bands such as The Meteors, Guana Batz, Demented Are Go, King Kurt, Mad Sin etc. are all included.

Also accompanying the set is a informative and well written booklet containing images & detailed notes from Craig Brackenridge on each and every 69 song in this collection.

Trapped In A Scene: UK Hardcore 1985-1989
Various
Cherry Red Records

Audibly I have never been a massive hardcore fan although bands do hook me every now and again and obviously it is an important sub genre of punk rock as a whole. This collection of 31 songs from between 1985-1989 in the UK is meant to be an accompaniment to Ian Glasper’s third book in a trilogy on the scene (his other books being ‘Burning Britain’ & ‘The Day The Country Died’.)

The hardcore scene according to the book emerged from the anarcho punk scene (Crass and Conflict etc) as well as the punk bands like Discharge, GBH and their American cousins and the emerging metal punk crossover at the time. Well that alone leaves you with no diluted perception that these are 31 brutal and hard tracks based on a near militant DIY ethic which created a movement including bands showcased on this set such as Napalm Death,  Stupids, Paranoid Visions etc.

The edgy music pushed boundaries and sounds into uncharted territory and hardcore has stood the test of time, and according to the author of the book, the era was the beginning of the end as far as a united punk underground went.

The Revival Tour-Fall 2009 Collection
Various
Sideonedummy Records/ Ten Four Records

The Revival Tour is a collaborative event created by Hot Water Music’s Chuck Ragan and his wife Jill, which earlier this year ran for the second time. Basically it allows a shifting group of musicians to play with each other, collaborating with friends and like minded musicians in a community effort on a tour which like the performances, is stripped down and genuine.

This two CD compilation features more than 20 amazing acoustic singles from artist you maybe very well know plying their trade in slightly more noisy punk rock bands; Tim Barry –Avail, Sparta/Sleepcar Jim Ward, Dave Hause-the Loved Ones etc.  There is also as an array of artist who have been performing their  stripped-down, rootsy punk rock more regularly; Jon Snodgrass, Chuck himself, Joey Cape, Frank Turner etc.

In addition the collection is a mellow introduction to a number of other extraordinary talented artists who share the stage on this tour; Audra Mae, Anderson Family Bluegrass Band, Bob Lucas etc across a diverse mixture of rock, punk, folk, Cajun and blues.

There are rumours that the tour might make an appearance in Europe next year and a number of the artists on these two discs are playing outside of the US over the coming months so if you want a sneak peek you can’t go wrong here. This is an incredibly heart-warming collection, stripped mainly bare of egos, and any idea of a commercial sense in music, but rather focuses on the music and community itself.

Volume 2: Mainstream Music Is Shit
Various
TNS Records

TNS Records are a non profit and DIY label and this two disc collection, highlighting predominantly North East UK bands in the underground punk and ska scene is overall a good collection. I have read few negative comments on the compilation but overall the feedback has been positive, my lasting impression is that the 37 song collection has a varying degree of bad, ok and good songs and for the price that is still a bargain. What it is providing is a platform for new and unsigned bands to hopefully reach a wider audience and it is an authentic snapshot of the bands and the sounds of now.

The two CD’s are loosely split into a punk record (CD1) and a skacore/ ska-punk record (CD2) but like I say that is a loose summary and intention.

The first CD focusing on the varying degree of punk rock, hardcore, street and punk ‘n roll; but it is largely light and poppy although there are exceptions to that. It is characterised by harmonies and sing-alongs with catchy enough choruses. It’s tough to pick out a large number of amazing tracks although I think there is enough diversity at the grassroots level.

The second CD is probably slightly stronger as the ska elements provide more diversity and it is far more upbeat with some recognisable bands from a UK scene in the mix (Cartoon Violence, Jimmy The Squirrel etc.). In addition the variety of sounds from a genre that often gets it fair of criticism (and often fairly so) is refreshing with elements of soul, swing, skacore etc. all bought to the table.

Overall the production is very good and it’s nicely packaged with enough positives to draw from to suggest that at a grassroots level at least (even in a confined area of the UK), there signs are healthy and positive. Although we are ever likely to get rid of shit mainstream music, this is our scene of choice and there are shit bands in punk rock too but compilations and labels like TNS need your support and due credit for trying to make a change.