Various

Various: The Thing That Ate Larry Livermore [12-inch]The Thing That Ate Larry Livermore [12-inch] (2012)
Adeline Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

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Contributed by: JeloneJelone
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Published on June 5th 2012While Larry Livermore hasn't been involved with Lookout Records since 1997, it's hard not to associate his new Adeline compilation, The Thing That Ate Larry Livermore, with that label. Highlighting 16 up-and-coming pop-punk bands selected by the guy who brought Green Day, Operation Ivy and the Mr. T.

While Larry Livermore hasn't been involved with Lookout Records since 1997, it's hard not to associate his new Adeline compilation, The Thing That Ate Larry Livermore, with that label. Highlighting 16 up-and-coming pop-punk bands selected by the guy who brought Green Day, Operation Ivy and the Mr. T Experience to the masses, The Thing That Ate Larry Livermore essentially houses a dream team of Lookout-indebted bands. That it would come out so soon after the label officially went out of business is an unfortunate coincidence.

Then again, everything about Thing seems steeped in retro sensibilities. It was curated by someone who actually saw Op Ivy back in the day. It's on vinyl. It comes with a zine. It's a compilation that's actually A) good and B) hopefully going to introduce some really cool bands to people. This comp is defiantly old fashioned.

I'd call it nostalgic too, were it not for Livermore's pretty interesting essay that opens the zine. He essentially argues against nostalgia, claiming that while it would be cool to see the great bands of yesteryear, there will always be a great current crop of bands too. Live in the now. Thanks to that series of tubes we call the Internets, there's only one, global punk rock scene.

Thing essentially hones in on 16 bands from North America that are doing pop-punk proud. If you like Green Day's Kerplunk, buy this record. If you like the Ramones, buy this record. If you want to help me get Mean Jeans into the White House, buy this record. Speaking of which, Mean Jeans are having a great year in terms of output. "Bad Dream" is yet another romper-stomper from the band. Dear Landlord, City Mouse, House Boat and Weekend Dads all turn in strong cuts as well. Then again, this comp is so solid throughout that it's hard to elevate any one band.

A note on Emily's Army, though: Yeah, their placement on an Adeline release smacks of nepotism, but their track "Good Looks" is actually pretty catchy and fits in with heavy hitters like the Dopamines and Mean Jeans. Deal with it.

This comp is already sold out online, although a handful of the featured bands are touring behind it and may or may not have copies. Failing that, there's always digital. But where's the fun in that?

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

NickJagielski (July 31, 2012)

Awesome comp! In fact, all the bands here seemed to push their very very best song into here, so ironically when I check them out, they're fairly good but nowhere near as great as the one on this comp.

HeinTerweduwe (June 10, 2012)

I have been listening to punk music in all its formats for the last 30 years and have had all kind of periods where I liked this or that style the most. For the time being this comp best represents the style I like the most at this very moment. (Although that new Bouncing Souls album is pretty magnificent as well).

1776 (June 6, 2012)

I hope this is the first of many. That Dr. Frank article got me listening to Yesterday's Kids and missing the Lookout! sound. (Even if he left out Avail. Absurd.)

TheDoodlyMan (June 5, 2012)

Finally a review! I love this Comp

fattony (June 5, 2012)

I tried to order this from Interpunk a few days ago and was told that it was sold out, but they were expecting to get a repress in the next month or so.

boxcar (June 5, 2012)

It's really as good as I hoped it would be! Does everything a comp should: bring quality new tracks by old faves like Copyrights, Dopamines or Mixtapes and introduces bands I never heard of or only read their name like Hextalls (probably my fave on here), Visitors or Max Levine Ensemble! I'm a little disappointed with the Night Birds track, but still: awesome record from start to finish!

Wish I could get my hands on the vinyl here in Europe, since I missed the preorder...

wentz_equals_death (June 5, 2012)

ack, compilations are supposed to cost like 8 bucks. it's $20 at reckless here in chicago

Crotchrotcassidy (June 5, 2012)

I haven't heard the comp yet, im waiting for insub to buy it. I love alot of the bands on there though and this is just one of the many reasons the month of june is dragging by. Besides the fest is anyone going to the record release show in philly the day after?

killtaker (June 5, 2012)

Really good comp...wish I was able to go back to Insub Fest this year to see these bands but I can't make it...maybe next year.

mcflynnthm (June 5, 2012)

Fantastic comp. Found a copy at my local record store yesterday; suck it, online retailers!

mattramone (June 5, 2012)

My pants are filled with man cream.

multiayler (June 5, 2012)

Beyond good.

MN_DrNick (June 5, 2012)

Fun stuff.

hayman (June 5, 2012)

Best comp in ages.