Media Review

Various Artists

Punk Goes 90s (CD)

Fearless

Overall Rating:

8.5

Music Quality: 8.0

Production: 7.0

Originality: 5.0

In the big scheme of things, compilation discs are rarely seen as ground breaking or even known to have more than just a few good tracks on them. More often then not, there are about 3 (or 4, if you are lucky) good songs by good bands on them and perhaps you find a diamond in the rough and find a new band that you look into. But these CDs are often as disposable as they are cheap.

Every once in a while, a series of compilations comes along that really catches on. The Punk-O-Rama series got me through my high school years (RIP), the Warped Tour series is gaining momentum but over at Fearless Records, they have released a rather revolutionary series of compilations in the “Punk Goes…” series. Starting off with the less than stellar “Punk Goes Pop” in 2002, the guys over at Fearless have continued to shove these cover CDs down our throat. On every one (with the exception of “Punk Goes Acoustic) bands in the independent rock scene take stabs at other artist’s songs as it pertains to the title. The latest in the series is “Punk Goes 90s.” As usual there are some hits, some misses but, the hits far out weigh the misses.

One of the most refreshing tracks on this disc is the cover of the Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy” by the pop punksters, Hit the Lights. The vocals compliment the original version and the upbeat music alters the song enough to make it new and fresh but still keeps those who are fans of the Gin Blossoms happy. Emery also makes a solid showing in a cover of Toad the Wet Sprocket’s “All I want.” Moving away from their thrashing emo style, Emery gives this disc a very stripped down version of the song that takes me back to listening to the original on my old boom box. Scary Kids Scaring Kids redeemed themselves in my eyes with a very brash and unapologetic cover of the REM classic “Losing My Religion.” Layering thick guitars and synthesizers over Tyson’s vocals characterize this great cover. Cartel, Anberlin and Copeland also make strong showings on this disc.

But the two best songs on this disc are from bands that I wasn’t even that familiar with. The Killing Moon took on covering the angry Alanis Morrisette track, “You Oughta Know.” Taking a rather tame song to another level, this almost-screamo cover centered around a horn section, could come off as either totally sweet or totally corny. Personally, I think it is the former. Even the break down in the middle of the song will induce a head nod as you listen. But Bedlight for Blue Eyes had the most impressive showing. Covering the mid-nineties pop anthem “Jumper” by Third Eye Blind, BLFBE take a very stripped down approach to the song. Relying heavily on extremely impressive vocals (Lended by Sebastian Davin of Dropping Daylight) and a very open sound bring this song down a little to make it a little more relaxed. Quite a refreshing take on the classic original.

But, like with every compilation, there are a few bad apples. The Gym Class Heroes took the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s “Under the Bridge” and made it far more complicated than it needed to be. Lead vocalist Travis’ makes attempts to sing as various parts in the song and it simply doesn’t come off well. Plus, putting having a rapping bridge that repeats the line, “The bridge is over, the bridge is over, ha ha,” tended to make this already shaky song go down the tubes. SoTheySay decided to take on song by the immortal Nirvana but unfortunately, “In Bloom” doesn’t bloom. I have never heard a cover of a Nirvana song that I enjoyed, and this was no different. The sound is incredibly sparse and the vocals lack that real Kurt Cobain rough quality.

Overall, I was incredibly impressed by this disc. I thought “Punk Goes 80s” was the best the series could do, but Fearless out did themselves. Pick this up and listen to it with your dad or whoever you would listen to music with when you were younger. It will be a great trip down memory lane.

reviewed by Alex Drumm