One of the more interesting ideas that brewed in Fat Mikes head, "Lets throw a sh*t load of 30 second songs on once disc and release it as a compilation." There is 101 songs to be exact, ranging from every single known punk band (and GWAR) known in the year of 1999. If you got a favorite punk band, chances are, they're on here. Ranging from Green Day, Guttermouth, The Descendents, The Living End, NOFX, The Misfits, Anti-Flag, and so much more. Genre's don’t matter because this comp includes pop-punk, garage punk, ska, hardcore, and even some psycobilly. None of this matters unless this unique concept of an album work, does it?
First to point out, with giving a limited 30 seconds to stand out against countless of other acts, some bands tried to out-shock each other it seems. Blink 182's studio version of "Family Reunion," contains George Carlins "Words you cant say on television" and a little nice shocking ending, which I wont dare to repeat here. The Mr. T Experience song usage of the "eff" word is overwhelming, and quite humorous. GWAR's nice love ballad "Fishf*ck" is exactly what the title is, using a fish for sexual pleasures. Nerf Herder's "Doin' Laundry" is quite possibly the most shocking song on here, even out-doing NOFX's "See Her Pee." The Offspring gave a mediocre attempt with "Handgrenades," it just got overshadowed by the previously mentioned."Freehgan" played by Bigwig mentions clubbing baby seals, but not ingesting it.
The surprising elements are easy to see. The Ataris intense rant on the radio continues with Beck, Oasis, 311 and Marilyn Manson (providing someone should break his ****ing neck). Green Day provides a nice acoustic ballad, about a man who planned to have relations with a woman in public, but getting busted by the cops instead. The Living End slap-bass playing style is a force to reckon with. I haven’t heard of Hi-Standard, but their song "Asian Pride" has a very nice hook to it, without taking itself too serious. 88 Fingers Louie's "All My Friends Are in Popular Bands" is special because it was recorded towards the end of their time, and its quite a treat here. Avail's "Not a Happy Man" sounds like a happy folk song about being tortured. I'm addicted to "Ketchup Song" by Teen Idols, such a simple song hoping all people would eat ketchup.
What's expected from Anti-Flag is here, a rant of their laundry list of problems in America on "Bring It to an End." AFI give a 30 second blast of anthemic adrenaline on "Hearts Frozen Soil Sod..." Less Than Jake's track "Anchor" doesn’t disappoint, as it sounds like anything from "Hello Rockview." Lagwagon's "Randal Gets Drunk's" sounds top notch, as expected. The same goes with "Out of Hand" by Bad Religion, as they express their hatred with some tremendous song writing. Pennywise broad toned guitar style isn’t missed here, on "30 Seconds 'Till the End of the World," points to the end of their song that triggers the end of the world (there's an explosion sound effect). "Armageddon Singalong" by Unwritten Law, to anyone who enjoyed anything before "Elva" should enjoy this early Green Day influenced slice of punk. The Vandals are good as usual, but nothing that makes the material stand out more than anything else they did.
Songs that disappointed me is almost overwhelming, because I expected so much more from Guttermouth, at least something more than a mock dealership commercial. I'm sure it was meant to be humorous, but I couldn’t catch on. The Bouncing Souls is a huge disappointment, it sounds like an uninspired Italian dangling piece of poo. I hate to be so harsh on it, but I really expected a lot more. Also, as I expected, there is a lot of filler songs on here. Maybe I'm just possibly too mainstream, but bands like (Ken O'Steel, Subhumans, Criminals, The Bar Feeders and about 20 others) just seem bland and boring compared to the better songs on the album.
From the album opener, "Short Attention Span" by Fizzy Bangers, an 8 second song that set the pace. To the final track, "The Count" by Wizo. This album is full of eye opening short tracks by many of the industries best. But with a cd with 101 tracks, there are some expected filler's and boring songs. Many songs here will make you laugh, or even chuckle.
B -
