 Various Artists
Smash The States: Redefining Punk Rock From The South (released 2005)
Suicide Watch Records - www.suicidewatchrecords.com
So I've come across scene comps before, and yeah, there are some good bands out there in different parts of the world...but there are also very bad ones. This disc however proves to be quite the exception, as there are some tremendous bands showcased on this disc. First of all, there are thirty-five tracks on here from just as many bands. You get quite a dose of all different flavors of punk, however the prevailing theme is aggressive street rock that is fucking great! I am a huge fan of street punk and this disc certainly satifisies my craving for the stuff. he disc opens with My So Called Band (whom I think are actually on the producing label Suicide Watch Records, so that's probably why they got to be first), but its all good 'cause the band opens with one of the better punk rock tunes on the disc. Following up are two of the best songs I've heard in some time...Hungry Ghost's "Bill Of Rights" sounds like the Dropkick Murphy's Dirty South counterparts and Obgyn's "No Motivation" is a gem due mainly to the female fronted vocals that make you sit up and shout right along with her. The disc continues on with more hardcore punk, pop punk, pub rock and even some upbeat catchy pop rock. Out of thirty-five tracks I really couldn't find one I didn't like, and I'm sure you won't either. There are some better known names on this disc too, including New Mexican Disaster Squad, Carrie Nations, Flamin' Anus, The Dead Kings, and Forgotten Youth amoung others. Some other tracks that I found kick ass would include Allergic To Bullshit with "The Burgeoisie Is Lost", which sounds like a classic '77-era tune; Southside Punk's tune "Dead End Generation", a throaty, dirty ditty that sounds like the style we used to skate to back in the day; I Live With Zombies "Keep Your Head Up" reminds me of a meaner version of the Ataris, but with street cred; The Assult's "Empty Soul", a minute and a half blast of crazy skate-core; and AOH's "Sick Of You" reminds one of Anal Cunt, except that you can understand the band. All in all, this disc will have me searching out every single one of these bands to feature on Hussieskunk. "Smash The States" is a great slice of the south, which is perhaps the most underrated area geographically for punk rock. So as not to be misunderstood, this comp blows away any misconceptions of the south with a mighty belch of firery rock. -MG |
