Punk-O-Rama Vol. 6
Various Artists
Epitaph
Despite being one of the biggest indies around, and hugely popular, some of Epitaph’s past _Punk-O-Rama_s have been pretty dreadful. Not this one, fortunately. Osker’s “Strangled” and The Business’ “Takers And Users,” along with Hot Water Music’s “Jack of All Trades” (with an unfortunately prominent “motherfucker” meaning you’ll never hear this on radio) and Dropkick Murphy’s “The Gauntlet” are high points, but there are lows as well. Pennywise’s cover (with Exene, no less), of X’s “We’re Desperate” should be filed under “why’d they bother?” And the Death By Stereo cut presents a good argument for not letting kids who listened to too much metal in their formative years attempt punk ever again. And the unfortunate pick of the absolutely worst cut off ALL’s last album has still got me scratching my head. Get it, delete about five tracks, and you’ve got a solid comp.
Epitaph Records, 2798 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026; http://www.epitaph.com
