Darren McLeod
11/26/05, 05:11 PM
There is no score for this compilation. You may look to the sidebar, looking for some sort of scale to grade this album by, but you won't find any. I don't feel that a rating is necessary. Actually, to be more precise, I feel a rating would detract from the purpose of this compilation. After all, this compilation isn't simply a record label trying to gain a few bucks by utilizing big name bands; even though Fat Wreck Chords uses names such as NOFX, MxPx, and Against Me, this compilation is truly for the kids. The profits are all given to the National Association to Protect Children -- children being what the liner notes describe as the "pillars of what our future society will rest upon."
The compilation opens with Matt Skiba's terrific acoustic number "Demons Away," which is exactly what one would expect from the singer from Alkaline Trio. It's a slow opener for a fast-paced compilation, yet it is such a strong track that one doesn't even notice. It begins the trend of unreleased songs on the album, of which there are 15 on the album. It is impressive enough that Fat managed to get so many bands to contribute fresh material to this compilation, what is even more impressive is that almost all of these unreleased tracks are extremely strong ones.
The album is full of highlights, and it is hard to list them all. The Falcon's "Building the Perfect Asshole Parade or Scratching Off the Fleas" is a great, frantic song that picks up the pace before Joey Cape's fantastic "Minus" slows the compilation down again two tracks later. Communique's "Carrie Anne" has an irresistible classical sound that everyone will love, and The Soviettes' "Middle of the Night" features enchanting female vocals over an extremely catchy tune. Anti-Flag throw in their usual politically-charged protest song, entitled "Feminism Is For Everybody (With a Beating Heart and a Functioning Brain)," a short but powerful track which holds its own among the rest of the powerful songs on the album. Hot Cross rip through their track "Tacoma" near the end of the album, adding to the already diverse sound of the compilation.
Truly though, it is the acoustic numbers that are the strongest on the album. Skiba and Cape do a great job at the beginning, and Tim Barry keeps the trend going in the middle with "Idle Idylist," but it is the closing song that clinches it. Against Me!'s cover of Bob Dylan's "Wagon Wheel" is one of the strongest covers I have ever heard in my life, one that manages to eclipse the original in its execution. The compilation is worth purchasing just to hear this final song.
This is the best compilation I have heard all year, and for the past few years. More than half of the tracks have been previously unreleased, and all of the tracks hold their own. They vary in style from acoustic to pop punk, metalcore to skate punk, leaving something for everyone who listens to it. Fat Wreck Chords outdid themselves on this occasion, and PROTECT is a compilation I recommend you all pick up, whether it be for the songs or just for the cause.
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View E-Card: http://www.fatwreck.com/junk/protect.htm
The compilation opens with Matt Skiba's terrific acoustic number "Demons Away," which is exactly what one would expect from the singer from Alkaline Trio. It's a slow opener for a fast-paced compilation, yet it is such a strong track that one doesn't even notice. It begins the trend of unreleased songs on the album, of which there are 15 on the album. It is impressive enough that Fat managed to get so many bands to contribute fresh material to this compilation, what is even more impressive is that almost all of these unreleased tracks are extremely strong ones.
The album is full of highlights, and it is hard to list them all. The Falcon's "Building the Perfect Asshole Parade or Scratching Off the Fleas" is a great, frantic song that picks up the pace before Joey Cape's fantastic "Minus" slows the compilation down again two tracks later. Communique's "Carrie Anne" has an irresistible classical sound that everyone will love, and The Soviettes' "Middle of the Night" features enchanting female vocals over an extremely catchy tune. Anti-Flag throw in their usual politically-charged protest song, entitled "Feminism Is For Everybody (With a Beating Heart and a Functioning Brain)," a short but powerful track which holds its own among the rest of the powerful songs on the album. Hot Cross rip through their track "Tacoma" near the end of the album, adding to the already diverse sound of the compilation.
Truly though, it is the acoustic numbers that are the strongest on the album. Skiba and Cape do a great job at the beginning, and Tim Barry keeps the trend going in the middle with "Idle Idylist," but it is the closing song that clinches it. Against Me!'s cover of Bob Dylan's "Wagon Wheel" is one of the strongest covers I have ever heard in my life, one that manages to eclipse the original in its execution. The compilation is worth purchasing just to hear this final song.
This is the best compilation I have heard all year, and for the past few years. More than half of the tracks have been previously unreleased, and all of the tracks hold their own. They vary in style from acoustic to pop punk, metalcore to skate punk, leaving something for everyone who listens to it. Fat Wreck Chords outdid themselves on this occasion, and PROTECT is a compilation I recommend you all pick up, whether it be for the songs or just for the cause.
--
View E-Card: http://www.fatwreck.com/junk/protect.htm