Punk Goes Pop 2
After hearing “Punk Goes Crunk” last year, I was hoping that the next installation in the “Punk Goes?” compilation series would be “Punk Goes Country,” but I guess I’ll have until next time, because instead they chose to give us a much needed sequel to “Punk Goes Pop.” When viewing the tracklist of this album, it’s ironic that it’s called “Punk Goes Pop” when some of the artists featured on here can actually be considered “pop” bands in the first place (The Cab, Breathe Carolina), and then most others can’t even really be considered “punk.” If anything, when this album features bands like Silverstein, August Burns Red, A Static Lullaby, Chiodos, and Attack Attack!, it should really be called “Screamo Goes Pop.” This album, of course, won’t be receiving a full 5/5 rating because there are just some songs on here that sound as if they were put together within a few hours, but to make up for those, there are some that sound like there was some effort put into them.
Since most of the songs covered in this album were overplayed top 10 radio songs, there is really no need to fear that any of them can be “killed”, or in other words, covered badly, except for Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta” (still a good song, covered by Chiodos), which was added to the tracklisting at the last second. I am not a big Chiodos fan, but this song stood out the most today, as it was a very interesting cover of a song that was already really good.
I always thought that most of Justin Timberlake’s hit songs would actually be interesting to hear covered by a popular rock band, so I was eager to hear Alesana’s take on “What Goes Around.” It was indeed a good listen, not the best, as the screaming seemed unnecessary after it was used a little abundantly, but still one of the better covers on the album.
There were actually some covers on this album that I think turned out better than the original, such as Silverstein’s cover of One Republic’s “Apologize”, A Day To Remember’s cover of The Fray’s “Over My Head (Cable Car)”, and lastly, A Static Lullaby’s entertaining take on Britney Spears’ “Toxic.”
Four Year Strong’s version of Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song,” Escape the Fate’s cover of Santana’s “Smooth,” Mayday Parade’s cover of the Pussycat Dolls’ “When I Grow Up”, and Breathe Carolina’s cover of Miley Cyrus’s “See You Again” (which would’ve been better if it were ironically covered by Metro Station) were also noteworthy attempts.
On the other hand, The Cab’s “Disturbia” (Rihanna), August Burns Red’s “Baby One More Time” (Britney Spears), Attack Attack!’s “I Kissed a Girl” (Katy Perry), Bayside’s “Beautiful Girls” (Sean Kingston), and There for Tomorrow’s “Ice Box (Omarion)” simply turned out to be somewhat disappointing, in the end making this a compilation with an even mixture of amazing covers, mediocre covers, and terrible covers, which is usually what you’d expect. Hopefully in the next go round, though, it’d be nice to see bands that can really be considered “punk”.
Reviewed by Harvey
Artist: Multi-Artist CD
Album: Punk Goes Pop 2
Genre: Rock / Screamo / Pop Punk / Hardcore
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/punkgoespop2
-Track List-
01. Alesana – What Goes Around… 4:31
02. Silverstein – Apologize 2:55
03. August Burns Red – …Baby One More Time 3:10
04. Mayday Parade – When I Grow Up 3:38
05. A Day To Remember – Over My Head (Cable Car) 3:31
06. Escape The Fate – Smooth 3:58
07. There For Tomorrow – Ice Box 4:18
08. Chiodos – Flagpole Sitta 3:39
09. Bayside – Beautiful Girls 3:41
10. Breathe Carolina – See You Again 3:23
11. The Cab – Disturbia 4:01
12. A Static Lullaby – Toxic 3:20
13. Four Year Strong – Love Song 3:03
14. Attack Attack! – I Kissed A Girl 3:00
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A Kidnap In Color
A Kidnap In Color is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stagnant scene. The band’s seven song EP, “The Rumours Are Flying”, is brimming with charismatic lyrics coupled with a sexy motif, backed by compelling guitar riffs, driving bass lines, and a dynamic array of infectious dance-laden beats. Top it off with a variety of catchy hooks, and “Rumours” is guaranteed to have you singing for hours after listening. And A Kidnap In Color can deliver what it promises: the live show is both energetic and robust and will have even the most reserved listener moving with the music. Indeed, A Kidnap In Color is the complete package- energy, looks, dedication, and, most importantly, a unique sound among a million bland ones- and promises to have people talking. For a band this good, the only way from here is up.
Review by SmartPunk
Artist: A Kidnap In Color
Album: The Rumours Are Flying
Genre: Rock / Pop
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/akidnapincolor
-Track List-
1. Lust Be A Lady
2. The Rumours Are Flying
3. Miss Scarlet, In The Bathroom, With The Revolver
4. Just Another Romantic
5. By Invitation Only
6. Treason In The High Court
7. Leave The Light On
Read MoreTry Album [Mediafire] | A Kidnap In Color – The Rumours Are Flying