What looks at first glance like a pretty generic budget-priced label compilation turns out, upon closer inspection, to be something a bit more interesting. For one thing, 36 of the 46 tracks are either previously unreleased or "rare" (a term that isn't defined more specifically in the notes). For another, the music is a surprisingly mixed bag of tight pop-punk, sludgy metal, scrappy funk-rock, reggae, and even hip-hop. Not all of it is brilliant, of course, but the good news that this set is indeed budget-priced -- $12.98 ...
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What looks at first glance like a pretty generic budget-priced label compilation turns out, upon closer inspection, to be something a bit more interesting. For one thing, 36 of the 46 tracks are either previously unreleased or "rare" (a term that isn't defined more specifically in the notes). For another, the music is a surprisingly mixed bag of tight pop-punk, sludgy metal, scrappy funk-rock, reggae, and even hip-hop. Not all of it is brilliant, of course, but the good news that this set is indeed budget-priced -- $12.98 for two discs and about 150 minutes of music -- which makes the filler pretty easily forgivable. The filler includes Trophy Scars' "Designed Like Dice" (two guys yelling over each other to no apparent purpose), Beehive & the Barracudas' "Surfing with Dick" (unreleased and/or "rare" for a reason), and Arraya's dreary "Lamp Shade." On the plus side of the ledger are Bleed the Dream's brilliantly arranged "Villain," the surprisingly atmospheric and thoughtful "Villain" by Codeseven, and the Angoras' "Veronica's Stress," which wins the Prog-Punk Award for being written in 5/4. Well worth the money. ~ Rick Anderson, Rovi
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