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| VariousPunk-O-Rama 72002 Epitaph 
  Review by: AtomicGarden See others by this writer Epitaph Records (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on June 18th 2002 How in the hell do you review the punk-o-rama series? Which ones are better than the others? How do they compare with the Fat comps, or other labels? For your convienence, I'm going to try to stay away from answering any of those questions. When I look at a compilation, like the Punk-O-Rama series, I listen to it, trying to expose myself to some new bands. When a track stands out, I'll check the artist out a bit more in-depth. It's how I discovered Refused, back when they had "New Noise" on the series. I've probably discovered a lot more bands that I really like today, but I can't remember. As far as this CD goes, it's a lot of the same old. Most of the bands I was already pretty familiar with, and there aren't too many standout tracks. The song from International Noise Conspiracy, "Up For Sale", is definitely one of the better tracks on the CD. It stands out because, well, it doesn't sound like every other song on the compilation. The annual NOFX song (you know it - there hasn't been a punk-o-rama without NOFX on it, has there?) happens to be off the split EP with Rancid where they covered each other's songs. That's fine and dandy, although I think I speak for a lot of fans when I wish they put something original on there. It's alright, though. It's not a bad cover. Also, Rancid covers NOFX's 'Bob' on this CD, which I can actually say... uh... isn't the best cover in the world. But I'm biased, as I've never been a huge fan of Rancid (I'm sorry!). The award for "band I've never heard of but has a kickass song" goes to Division of Laura Lee with their song "Black City". It's definately interesting. Not the most punk sounding song in the world, but definately interesting. Reminded me slightly of Refused, actually. Other songs of note include "Hooray for Me", by the pop-punkers Pulley (and, by the way, one of the better pop punk bands). "The Defense", one of Bad Religion's more experimental sounding songs, also makes an appearance and is definately one of the best songs on the compilation. The Beatsteaks, which I'd like to hear more of, offer an interesting punk rock song called "God Knows". Musically, it's definitely a tight song. Another song which I really like is the Deviates' "The End". Overall, this CD doesn't have that quality which says "listen to me constantly", but then again, what compilations really do? It's pretty hard to have a compilation where every single song is so awesome you want to listen to the entire CD over and over again. But then again, is that really the point? I don't think so. If I was Epitaph Records, I would not be disappointed if everyone found three of four bands they didn't know about, and fell in love with them, due to songs on this compilation. That being said, there are no real bad songs that I'd skip when listening to this CD. It's a very solid album, and even though I said I wouldn't compare, I'd have to say this is one of the better compilations put out by Epitaph (in this series, that is), in a while. The last two punk-o-rama's just didn't do it for me.
If you're looking to check out some good quality punk rock, buy this album. It's also great if you don't know a lot of Epitaph bands... but then again, if you do, you're not going to see or hear anything that you wouldn't really expect.
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Not the best Punk-o-rama, but christ, for 5 bucks you can't go wrong. Wasted Words and The Defense are worth that price alone. They picked the worst Millencolin song on Home From Home but hey I like Millencolin so it still rocks. NOFX ruined Olympia, WA in my opinion and to those who think The International Noise Conspiracy isn't punk, listen to me rant. Punk is not about how hard your fucking music is. There's this thing called activism. Punk is more than just getting drunk and making fast music. How in the hell can anyone like that song from Internation Noise Conspiracy* this cd is fucking awesome and wasted words prolly has to be the best song on it. Fuck all of u who say Bad Religion suck cus there fucking awesome. I thought that rancid did a good job and NoFX did a really good job too so fuck u all. i enjoyed pretty much all the songs but i cant seem to find a liking in the Division of Laura Lee song ( sorry ) but all the rest were fucking awesome..... fuck all u people - how the fuck old are most of u anyways??? u fuckers wouldn't know punk if it pissed in yr mouth. rancid is the muthafuckin o-g's, u sonsabitches. and if anyone disses nofx, then let me hear some of your musical prowess... that said, this cd rocks, more than you fuckers can get off yr spoon-fed mtv shite. and whoever said guttermouth is homophobic, did u ever hear of the word "sarcasm"???? they're not being truthful, they're simply masquerading as most of u jock boy lunkheads who call yourselves "punk", but don't hesitate to make fun of the first girl with colored hair. u fuckers who diss this shit can all lick my ass, and i personally invite any of u to brewtown to confront me personally.... there were alot of good tracks on this comp but the major bummer for me was that out of these 19 songs i had already downloaded 7 of them off of EPITAPH'S WEBSITE. oh well. i think that rancid did a neat job on "bob" where as nofx didn't really add anything unique to "olympia,wa". overall, this was a listenable punk-o-rama album. god epitaph comps suck i really like this cd it fucking rocks and for only 4.99 what more can u ask for i really liked that nofx song but i fucking liked them all this cd rocks. fuck you whoever said that bad religion sucks. F-ck all the other bands, I want Satanic Surfers on this album. By the way, Black City and the Beatsteaks song are amazing, and the Olympia cover by NOFX is also great. I'm actually not even a big fan of Rancid, though. Buy this album, however, because it's 4.99. That is simply why you should buy it. Because it's not gonna set you back all that much. The guttermouth song is a joke........Death By Stereo and Hot Water Music tracks rule!!! Guttermouth is somewhat ok to listen to, but I don't really consider that they play actual music. Alot of thier songs are just ridiculous and sometimes homophobic. And for the record, guttermouth isn't even in the same league as bad religion. Guttermouth is where it's at. Fuck bad Religion, they suck. Wasted words is worth the price of this cd alone. I also (suprisingly) enjoyed the Hot Water Music song too. Not content with ripping off other bands musically, Pulley steal other people's song titles. Bad Religion sound past it on 'The Defense'. The score is for Pulley. Sure things can suck and be good at the same time......well it can. Ok, vien... How can it suck if it's a nice addition to your collection. Things can't suck and be nice at the same time. You are either a multiple personality or you have a weak command and understanding of the english language. yeah ok, I still stand on my decision that compliations do in fact do suck. It's not often(for me anyway) that you do find a new band on a compliation that is suddenly your favorite band after you hear that one song, even if it's coming from epitaph or fat. The only thing satisfying from compliations is that, again, it introduces you to new bands that you haven't heard, but it takes more than one song to make a fan out of me. eh, it's a nice addition to your music collection either way. "Compliations suck, and everbody knows that. I see them as a way to get to listen to some bands that I never heard of and that's all." Meh, got most of the songs in other places. The Punk O Ramas just dont cut it anymore for me personally, but they're great for people gettin into the label. punk o rama can suck my dick. so can epitaph. Like all Punk-o-rama albums, this is class. it rocks my socks!!! the purpose of compilations is to introduce people to new bands. i have never really dug the PunkORama Series...i always seem to think most of it sounds the same...but maybe it's jus tme.... is there a punkorama tour this year? i have something like 10 windows open right now, so i don't even remember the review in question. Compliations suck, and everbody knows that. I see them as a way to get to listen to some bands that I never heard of and that's all. don't get me wrong, i like some epitaph bands (rancid,nofx,pennywise,millencolin,etc), but usually these comps really blow, but like junkie i always buy them.oh well. fat comps are cooler, but i like alot more fat bands. Can anybody tell me which DKM song is on here. Is it a new song or is it a song from SLSP just like the last 2 P-O-R Punk O Rama 2 is the best cuz it got me into punkrock how can you complain about having too many tracks on a compilation? i've never been a big fan of the punkoromas but id have to say 5 is the best. Will someone put JOE_MAMMA out of his misery? #3 is the best POR so far. There is just a plethora of good songs on that CD. #5 is my second favorite, but there's just way too many tracks. It could have done without the Pennywise, Union 13 and New Bomb Turks songs. Descendents arent gay ska like all the other bands on "stinky-ska-itaph" thats what they should call it. The new DBS song fuckin' rules and so does the new Ht Water Music- but the rest has either already been heard or sucks! 'new noise' was never on a punkorama comp, unless it was on a european version or something the descendents are not no ska Wheres the fucking descendents songs dammit dammit dammit |
