If you want a revolution... (Rock Against Bush Vol.1)

Member Name: rclens

Product:	Rock Against Bush Vol.1
Date:	29/09/04 (337 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some good songs

Disadvantages: Generally quickly put together

Sometimes you just get the feeling someone is conning you......


The Music

Political statement, commercial exploitation, or a clever mix of both? Far from a sexual reference, Rock Against Bush vol.1 is Fat Wreck Chords’ first attempt at direct political persuasion, or dissuasion as far as the Bush administration is concerned, however, doubts have been raised as to the authenticity of the reason behind the release of this compilation. The punk community has, for some time now, attempted to encourage non-voters to become more active in an effort to remove President Bush at the next Presidential elections. Rock Against Bush aims to do this through the music as well as the message but it is burdened by fierce criticism from sceptics within the punk community. Whatever the reason behind its release, it’s the music that sells an album after all, isn’t it?

Quite surprisingly Sum 41 find themselves as the most recognised band invited to record for this compilation. Following on from the 2002 release, Does This Look Infected, in every sense, Moron exploits the punkier side of commercialism in Sum 41’s distinct chirpy but now edgier style. Warbrain, the Alkaline Trio’s offering, follows Moron immediately and is sans pareil. Fluid and emotional this is the epitome of excellence, notwithstanding the fact that it is pretty much constructed of repeated segments.

The Ataris are present with Heaven is Falling, a tasteful little number which sounds not to far from modern Feeder. I’ve always had a penchant for the acoustic tracks that The Ataris come out with and this one, despite lacking from some serious studio mixing and sounding as if it is being played down the phone, does not disappoint in the slightest: “God I want to be a man. But I don’t want to die with a rifle in my hands.”

If the majority of the tracks have been recorded specially for this release, a small number are off already released studio albums; Pennywise’s God Save the USA is perhaps the crème of these, which include Revolution off Authority Zero’s Andiamo album, which quite aptly states: “If you want a revolution, you gotta make a difference on your own”. These songs appear to be where the album has gone right; where serious thought and time have been spent on the creation and production of the material, rather than a last minute attempt to churn out something presentable.

One major qualm is the ordinary standard of the NOFX and Less Than Jake tracks. Whilst the NOFX contribution is a little more varied than before, fans may notice LTJ’s inability to construct new and original lyrics, instead seeming to rely on the old cigarettes/life has gone by much too fast, seen on the Hello Rockview album. On the other hand, the clever mix of ska, through The Descendents and RX Bandits, to the harder edge of punk with the outstanding Rise Against, certainly add animation; a kind of vivacity that might otherwise have been lacking.

It’s difficult to make a clear judgment when faced with bands of such differing styles in an offering such as this. The Fat Wreck label has a number of damn fine bands signed to it but, as a message of punk solidarity for this cause, a number of other bands have joined in, voicing their concerns as one united message and expanding the depth of the album. As with many a compilation there are weaker tracks littered throughout. On the plus side, however, there are more than enough to ‘rock’ to, whether this is against Bush or not.


The Artwork and Inlay

The Artwork is intended to be comical but in my opinion doesn't look as if much effort has gone into it. Most Punk compilation albums have a least some level of talent in their cartoon cover designs or have opted for something abstract. This, as you can see from Ciao's product picture, isn't exactly the best front cover around at the moment.

The inlay contains a number of reasons why one should hate President Bush. Starting with 20 reasons, which do make you think quite a bit about how much of a prat the guy really is, it later adds a further 20 reasons...which included Bush having dropped his dog onto its head...which I can only suppose is true. Pictures of all the bands are included as well as some lyrics and a few statements that these bands have made about the album's subject-matter.



Price:

Amazon - £9.99
Reflexcd.co.uk - £8.99

Released April 19th 2004 on Fat Wreck Chords.
Catalogue Number: FAT675CD



Conclusion:

To be honest, if you have a spare bit of cash lying around then why not buy this album. If you support the cause you will find yourself quite happy with what you have done but do remember all money made from this release will probably end up in the record company's pocket.... now that doesn't further the motion against Bush does it!!!

I'm glad I have this album and I'm lucky I didn't have to pay for it. Some of the tracks on here I absolutely love and would not have been able to find anywhere else, save through some Peer 2 Peer networking program but that's just not my style anymore. I would have expected the price to be around £7 straight and this is why I don't recommend this album, £10 is too much!! But hang on, the fun hasn't finished... volume 2 is on its way mid August... I can't wait!!!


Track Listing (With My Ratings)


01 Nothing To Do When You're Locked Away In A Vacancy - None More Black (6/10)
02 Moron - Sum 41 (7/10)
03 Warbrain - Alkaline Trio (9/10)
04 Need More Time - Epoxies (1/10)
05 The School Of Assassins - Anti-Flag (6/10)
06 Sink, Florida, Sink (Electric) - Against Me! (8/10)
07 Baghdad - The Offspring (5/10)
08 Lion And The Lamb - The Get Up Kids (6/10)
09 Give It All - Rise Against (9/10)
10 No W - Ministry (3/10)
11 Sad State Of Affairs - Descendents (7/10)
12 Revolution - Authority Zero (8/10)
13 Paranoia! Cha-Cha-Cha - The Soviettes (1/10)
14 That's Progress - Jello Biafra with D.O.A. (3/10)
15 Overcome (The Recapitulation) - RX Bandits (7/10)
16 No Voice Of Mine - Strung Out (8/10)
17 To The World - Strike Anywhere (8/10)
18 Heaven Is Falling - The Ataris (8/10)
19 God Save The USA - Pennywise (9/10)
20 Normal Days - Denali (4/10)
21 The Expatriate Act - The World/Inferno Friendship Society (2/10)
22 No News Is Good News - New Found Glory (5/10)
23 Basket Of Snakes - The Frisk (1/10)
24 Jaw, Knee, Music - NOFX (6/10)
25 It's The Law - Social Distortion (7/10)
26 The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out - Less Than Jake featuring Billy Bragg (6/10)

Summary: