Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 06/22/1999
Run Time: 820:02
It would be inaccurate to say that
Epitaph's
Punk-O-Rama compilations cater to
punk purists 100 percent of the time. Not everything on
Punk-O-Rama, Vol. 4, which
Epitaph assembled in 1999, is
hardcore punk -- some of the material is simply
alternative rock with a strong
punk influence. But it is safe to say that
Vol. 4 is
punk-oriented, and it is also safe to say that the CD is, at five dollars, a bargain for North American consumers -- when
Vol. 4 came out in 1999, five dollars was less than one would typically pay for a used CD. And even though not every tune on this disc is a five-star gem, most of the tracks are decent or competent; there are no outright duds. Fans of a
hardcore punk sound -- as opposed to poppy
emocore or
punk-influenced
alternative rock -- should have no problem getting into
Agnostic Front's
"It's My Life," the Dwarves'
"I Will Deny," or
Union 13's
"A Life's Story." Meanwhile,
the Voodoo Glow Skulls'
"They Always Come Back" is an abrasive, forceful example of
ska-punk. And the most
metal-minded track is
Zeke's
"Twisted," which could be described as
Aerosmith by way of
Iggy Pop. There is even a track by
singer/songwriter Tom Waits:
"Big in Japan." Waits isn't the first name one would expect to see on a
punk-oriented compilation, but
"Big in Japan" has enough of a
punkish edge to fit in -- the tune doesn't sound out of place, and it is one of the best things on the CD.
Punk-O-Rama, Vol. 4 isn't ideal but, at five dollars, it isn't a bad way to get acquainted with
Epitaph's late-'90s roster.
~Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
;)
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