Atticus Compilation 3
Looking forward to Give It A Name Fest 'O5? You'll love this compilation from the Atticus clothing label of much revered pop punsters Mark and Tom of Blink 182. Last years big 'scene' trend was screaming and plenty of it. Towards the end of the year we gathered that it was taking a more melodic turn, amazingly enough amongst the screaming we began to be able to decipher lyrics again. The key bands in this movement are all featured on this CD, and it isn't half bad, its like the background music on the OC, trendy but at times excellent.
Half full of familiar names like Funeral For A Friend, Taking Back Sunday, Death Cab For Cutie, MxPx, Gratitude and of course, the obligatory Blink 182 track. Along with some slightly less well known bands on the cusp of fame Fall Out Boy, Alexisonfire, The Bled, Rise Against, Motion City Soundtrack, Recover, Lucero, Street Dogs, Murder By Death and Bedouin Soundclash. This comp has a few songs that the average listener may skip over at first. Some I'd even approve of skipping over such as the scene-post-whatever-core songs by Piebald, Name Taken, Saosin, Mae, VCR, Lydia and the Kinison. But some of the lesser known names I mentioned above are well worth the listen to, and I promise you won't regret it, there really is something for everyone here.
The first band that would jump off my list would be Rise Against, in my opinion the Bad Religion of this decade, if that's even possible better, this band are amazing. 'Dancing For Rain' makes me want to contemplate, run around and tear something up all at the same time, they put on a bloody good stage show as well, go buy their CD, now. If you like bitter sweet Emo-power Pop tunes, Fall Out Boy and Motion City Soundtracks' tracks are for you. They are great to listen to without becoming repetative after a few listens, those boys know how to write a catchy song, which I suppose is a good thing, seeing as its their job right?
Like screaming but disappointed by The Used last cd? Listen to Alexisonfire and the Bled on this CD, both bands songs present so much energy that's its effervescent, the energy these bands have jump out of your speakers and engulf you. Now if you want some stunning music to chill out too, switch to the tracks by Lucero and Murder By Death. Neither of these songs would be amiss in any teenagers life soundtrack, they sort of epitomise the OC generation, with that Death Cab-esque vibe that seems to make you feel like you're floating on air or in a dream. Another song that would not be amiss on the teen melodrama would be The track by The Sounds, 'Living In America' it's so fun and dancey in a good way, that any rock club that doesn’t have it on its play list isn't worth going to.
Recover and The Street Dogs have a , I suppose you can say different sound to them without that 'I'm trying so hard to be different vibe', its sort of punk but sort of Indie but sort of emo and sort of hardcore, a mish mash of influences and moods swirl around in both these songs. And if you missed Sublime, because I know I do, go buy the Bedouin Soundclash CD, they may sound odd, but lord, the are amazing. I missed this kind of Regga-Ska-Pop sound so much it hurts, on a summers day, or really any day you wake up and you know its sunny outside this would be the perfect song to throw on.
Of the more well bands the most stunning tracks would have to be the ones by 2004 favourites Taking Back Sunday, Funeral For A Friend and Deathcab For Cutie (now popular by recommendation of Mr Seth Cohen) are perfect for that day when you sit at home, and just have a lot to think about, and sure it may seem teenagers don't have that much to worry about, but trust me they do. And when those times around, its songs like these that lend you a helping hand. Another one that some of you may not be quite as familiar with are a band called Gratitude, check them out seriously, if you like Saves The Day, Jimmy Eat World or Onelinedrawing you will love this band, they just write beautiful songs full stop, probably not my pick for opening track, but put it on repeat for a while, you'll fall in love. MxPx and Blink 182 bring the pop emo corner to this cd though really, this just showcases how ready we are for some of the new talent that can be found on this cd Fall Out Boy and Motion City Soundtrack kick these old timers out of the water.
This cd is like any teenagers day, week, month or year it has its ups and downs, it has its successes and failures, new friends, old favourites, familiar faces and those who you can always trust to be there for you. Seeing as how Atticus' main audience are between the ages of 14-24, for the curious, somewhat lost young adult this cd is a like a home you can always come back to and feel comfortable, and you know something's changed, but its still very familiar. Best Atticus Comp yet? I'd say so.