Punknews.org | Various - Take Action! Volume 4

Review Navigator

Features

Reviews

Various

Take Action! Volume 4
2004
Sub City

Various - Take Action! Volume 4 (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Brian
See others by this writer

SubCity Records (link)

Only registered users
can post comments

Published on October 5th 2004

When Scott lamented having to avoid bashing a charity-driven compilation out of sheer logic and morals, he was thankfully put in an easy position because the two-disc album happened to contain multiple rare or unreleased tracks, and he was able to give it relative but sincere praise after all.

This is where I'm forced to let guilt settle in.

While this year's version of SubCity's Take Action! compilation series (Volume 4 for those keeping score at home) is virtually a who's who of the hottest punk / indie / post-hardcore / metal / punk-pop / "emo" / hardcore / etc. bands today, too many of the tracks are already available on the respective band's pureVOLUME site or the like (roughly a third). A small handful even represent the singles from their respective albums, having already been made into a video and loved (Dillinger Escape Plan - "Panasonic Youth") or hated (Boys Night Out - "I Got Punched...," Hawthorne Heights - "Ohio Is For Lovers," Underoath - "Reinventing Your Exit," Mae - "Embers and Envelopes") by most of you already.

The only real unreleased tracks (besides the demo version here and alternate take there) are from Andrew W.K., NoFx, Brazil, and Brandston. AWK's strong yet inspiring words that open the compilation should be more than enough to prevent any soul from doing the unspeakable (seriously), and NoFx's following contribution, "Concerns of a GOP Neo-Phyte (Wrong Version)," is a surprise throwback that'll have you scanning the track listing on your copy of Heavy Petting Zoo to make sure this song was actually recorded within the last four years. "And So It Goes" from Brazil is disjointed and dragging, containing a really awkward flow with questionable inclusion of piano and wailing trumpet. Brandston's "Little Birds And Sparrows" is a more up tempo number from the band that still bores me.

As far as the rest of Disc 1 goes, The Break affirms my premonitions of mediocrity, Ever We Fall spews nothing but clichés in every chord, and the hardcore/metal block of Shadows Fall/Mastodon/Terror doesn't do a ton for me, but its following one-two punk rock punch of New Mexican Disaster Squad and A Wilhelm Scream works well. However, the liner notes claim that NMDS's "You're Incorrect" comes from an album of the same name, when it's really from the self-titled...I won't bother touching the obvious joke here. And of course, Hawthorne Heights still makes me laugh. And cry. And then laugh again.

Disc 2 has Roses Are Red and Hidden In Plain View worsening my already miserable cold, Despistado affirming every At The Drive-In comparison they received, and The Lot Six (who are quite the catch live, I might add) providing some dirty, fast rock 'n' roll.

The harder-to-find tracks are basically hit or miss. Murder By Death's "Canyon Inn, Room 16," which originally appeared on a split last year with Volta Do Mar, is a soft, piano-driven number vividly uncharacteristic of their last full-length, and could very well disappoint a few people relying on the band for making this comp their money's worth. Against Me!'s "You Look Like I Need A Drink" (originally on the Cavalier Eternal 7") is great for those who still haven't gotten a hold of the colored vinyl.

The enhanced portions are noteworthy additions. Not only does it include Paul Quinnett's, Ph.D., Suicide: The Forever Decision...For Those Thinking About Suicide And For Those Who Know, Love, Or Counsel Them - which normally retails for $17.95, but a depression screening tool, information on suicide prevention training programs, web-based resources, volunteer opportunities, and petitions to sign, all of which really help reinforce the anti-suicide message the compilation sets out to achieve.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated towards The National Hopeline Network, a service of the Kristin Brooks Hope Center. The artists and songs featured here may not prove to be the greatest ends of compiling efforts possible, but the effort in passing along a positive message and hope for truly depressed teens for a fourth time is achieved admirably.

Login to rate this album

Please login or register to post comments.

What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 11, 2004 at 8:49 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I have the Against Me 7" and both the songs sound almost exactly the same as on the full album. But mine is a nice see through green color. Anyhow, they're still good songs, just not much different.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 11, 2004 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
My Score:

"and mike park is a great guy, dude isnt vagrant records. he can't make a total charity cd cuz he doesnt have the get up kids, saves the day and alk3 filling his coffers."

mike park doesn't take risks. the reason that vagrant has those bands and makes the money they do is because they took mad financial risks putting their own futures and lives and families on the line early on to be able to give the bands the treatment they felt they deserved. whereas mike park keeps things small because that way he'll always be able to handle it.

there's something to be said for both styles of running your label.

Posted by maverick on 2004-10-10 20:51:53
My Score:

I'll let you all in on a secret - I reviewed last year's edition of this comp without even listening to it. That's how easy and unchallenging this CD series has become.

-Scott

Posted by ElVaquero on 2004-10-07 19:47:49
My Score:

So where is the review of the new Dwarves album?

I like it.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 7, 2004 at 10:00 AM (EDT)
My Score:

" dont' know but its a good comp. lawrence arms 'quincetuple your money' thrice 'to what end' some old afi song and alk3 'standard break from life'. thats what i can remember from it. oh yea cave in 'jupiter' was on there."

-----------------------------------

WRONG!
The first Plea For Peace comp was on Asian Man, and has Blue Meanies, Alkaline Trio, Lawrence Arms, Ee, Apocalypse Hoboken, Honor System, and other Asian Man / Suburban Home bands.

The comp. you speak of was the first Asian Man / Subcity comp, which, YES, is still in print."

hey i hope you feel real good putting me in my place."WRONG!" hahaha. you sound like my little sister.

i apologize for my unforgiveable comp confusion error.

-paul

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 7, 2004 at 9:58 AM (EDT)
My Score:

even donating 5% will still raise 10,000 for the cause when its all said and done. and the bands all get a cut of the prophets of this record, so blame against me! for taking their cut. and mike park is a great guy, dude isnt vagrant records. he can't make a total charity cd cuz he doesnt have the get up kids, saves the day and alk3 filling his coffers.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 7, 2004 at 3:28 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Wow. This compilation is so fucking terrible.
The only reason I spent six dollars on it was for the Against Me! track, and yeah, that song alone was worth the money.

Fuck, this CD is awful.
Is this what is popular now?

And fuck Hopeline. They suck. They really do not care.
And (a first thought for me), the amount Subcity gives from this CD's sales is ridiculous.
Only 5%?
The CD is made for this so-called "cause", yet the only give approximately $0.30 to the charity per copy?

Hmm.
Vagrant is giving two charities ALL of the profits from In Honor (that's 100%, for you dumbasses).

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 7, 2004 at 3:07 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"Does anybody know if the first Plea For Peace compilation is out of print or what? I haven't been able to find it. Ever."

I dont' know but its a good comp. lawrence arms 'quincetuple your money' thrice 'to what end' some old afi song and alk3 'standard break from life'. thats what i can remember from it. oh yea cave in 'jupiter' was on there."

-----------------------------------

WRONG!
The first Plea For Peace comp was on Asian Man, and has Blue Meanies, Alkaline Trio, Lawrence Arms, Ee, Apocalypse Hoboken, Honor System, and other Asian Man / Suburban Home bands.

The comp. you speak of was the first Asian Man / Subcity comp, which, YES, is still in print.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 7, 2004 at 3:05 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 7, 2004 at 1:59 AM (EDT)
My Score:

that twins yankees game was fucking sick

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 11:18 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Against Me! = Best band ev-ar.

Posted by boldredletters on 2004-10-06 17:36:02
My Score:

There are two versions. The electric is on "Eternal Cowboy", the acoustic was released on 7" by No Idea. Although it may be available on Cd on other comps.

Posted by sickboi on 2004-10-06 17:00:43
My Score:

Against Me!'s "You Look Like I Need A Drink"

Uh, isn't this on the widely available Fat LP, or is it a different version?

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 4:47 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Posted by AmericanIdle on 2004-10-06 16:27:13
My Score:

The cause gets a two, but that Against Me! track gets an eight or a nine.

http://www.antipsychiatry.org/suicide.htm

Posted by ZDP on 2004-10-06 16:17:52
My Score:

Does anybody know if the first Plea For Peace compilation is out of print or what? I haven't been able to find it. Ever.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 1:27 PM (EDT)
My Score:

"I'll go ahead and say it. The new social D is their best work. I'm serious. "

Wow that's a tough call, but at this point i'm going to have to agree with you. The amount of feeling and emotion put in to that fucking record is unsurpassed by any of their previous releases.

-notfeelingcreative

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 12:57 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I don't know about the new Social D....

Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2004-10-06 12:56:42
My Score:

only 5% goes to the charity, ithink. might as well fucking just send them your 5 bucks insted you douche buckets

- jones the bonfire

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 10:22 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I'll go ahead and say it. The new social D is their best work. I'm serious.

-paul

Posted by Steb on 2004-10-06 01:41:08
My Score:

I have to wait til November 3rd

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 1:31 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"uh so where is the Social D review?" That's an album you shouldn't wait to get a promo copy for. It's worth buying on the release date. Social D has their own friggin' logo for news on this site for fucks sake. Also I can assume you did'nt get an advance copy of the new Leftover Crack to review, but that's okay because it's nowhere near as good as the new Social D album."

I agree the new social d is amazing I can't fucking wait for the show (another 17 hours or so!)!

-notfeelingcreative

Posted by Steb on 2004-10-06 01:23:07
My Score:

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 10:56 PM (EDT)
My Score:

The first volume was definately the best: fifteen, falling sickness, scared of chaka, fyp, KD, D4, all subsequent volumes have lacked substance and been filled with metal and whiny power pop in order to attract a larger audience.

-notfeelingcreative

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 10:44 PM (EDT)
My Score:

The 7" version of "You Look Like I Need A Drink" is enough reason for me to buy this comp.
The charity WOULD be the first, but 1-800-Suicide is a joke (if the charity is actually different this year, I apologize).

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 10:41 PM (EDT)
My Score:

thanks adam, no biggie.

has leftover crack not been reviewed? i thought it was

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 10:05 PM (EDT)
My Score:

this girl I know says the new social D is reallly good.

thus ends my review.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 10:01 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I will buy this if only because it's all for a great cause.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2004-10-05 21:59:02
My Score:

I want AWK and NOFX. that is all.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 9:47 PM (EDT)
My Score:

why the hell is this being reviewd, and not the new leftover crack?

Posted by shindo on 2004-10-05 21:42:27
My Score:

"uh, so, where's the social distortion review?..."

Soon, I swear. Apparently Social D's people sent one over for review but it's yet to arrive. If it doesn’t show up tomorrow I'll just run to the record store and grab one so I can get it written.

adam

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 9:39 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Much love for the NMDS track... They are terribly underrated, and everytime I see them they get better and better. Expect big things from those kids.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 9:32 PM (EDT)
My Score:

uh, so, where's the social distortion review? i rely on these reviews when im unsure of buying an album or not. this seems unfair for a band like sxdx, when their is no review for an album that's been out since the 28th

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 9:15 PM (EDT)
My Score:

you dont have to rate it a 5 just because its a charity album...enough kids will pick this up at hot topic, i dont feel bad about saying- this album sucks.

Posted by shindo on 2004-10-05 21:13:39
My Score:

Let's here it for The Lot Six! Woo!

-adam

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 9:12 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Depistado really doesn't sound like ATDI.

The first Take Action remains my favorite. Whatever became of the Rabies? I thought they were destined for greatness.

OC

Features

Contests

Reviews

Various