Various Artists - RockAgainst Floyd

Thu 25th Aug, 2005 in Music Reviews

Rock Against Floyd is the most recent publicity offering from American punk rock label Fat Wreck Chords. It mixes the sampler idea of the Fat Music compilations with the popularity of the Rock Against Bush compilations. But this sampler is free (yes free! Look out for it being given away at gigs, when you buy a CD, in other random places).

This is in no way a hindrance though. The sampler features 11 American bands and displays the variety of different music that is categorised as punk. All of the songs featured are found on either very recently released albums or soon to be released albums, so the sampler is a good way to gauge what is presently coming out of the label. And after listening to this, it seems the label will be ensuring their popularity and staying power for a while longer.

The sampler begins with a track from the soon to be released full length from Against Me! The track is titled Problems and features a solid driving tempo and a heart-felt vocal delivery. It is one of the more rock tracks on the disc.

Next up comes Smoke or Fire with their song Cops and Drugs. This song is more like the classic punk song; fast, aggressive, political, raw, but all with a catchy chorus. Following in this vain is track eight, called Multiply and Divide by The Soviettes. It features old-school punk traits like “oi” chants, yelled vocal delivery and tough and raw guitars. The track adds its mark on the variety of the ablum through the female vocalist. The bonus track, number 11, is The Church of Black Flag by Western Addiction, and it also follows in the raw and aggressive style while picking up the tempo.

Fat Wreck’s melodic punk is also showcased on this sampler. Everchanging by Rise Against is track 10 and shows off the bands ability to be a little more forceful but melodic at the same time. Foundation melodic punk band No Use For A Name also make an appearance on the sampler. Their song For Fiona is track three and is classic No Use: melodic, polished, sincere, catchy. And to the pop-punk extreme, Chixdiggit’s song I Remember You is sing-along catchy at its best. It is almost new-wave in character (think Nerf Herder).

Speaking of New-Wave, The Epoxies make a contribution to variety with their track Synthesized. This song features that classic ‘80s sounding synth as the standout riff, and the happy, simple chord progressions of that era. Also very catchy and pop, but still keeping the punk vibe through the distorted guitars and overall vibe of the song.

The harder aspect of punk is Strung Out and their track Her Name In Blood. This track is almost the opposite of The Epoxies; it is hard, extremely fast, technical, aggressive, dark and intricate. It features many sections and different feels throughout the song.

And of course staple punk bands The Real McKenzies and NOFX are featured too. The Real McKenzies song Smokin’ Bowl features their brand of simple, anthemic, Scottish punk (the bagpipes are of course included!). Getting High on the Down Low displays NOFX’s crude, raw, simple, fun, punk rock 101 style.

Each band’s song is one of their solid efforts, truly representing their style and ability without necessarily being the single for the album. There are stand out tracks, but in a way all of the tracks stand out because they are so different to each other. Which is a really good way to make a sampler!