Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 03/25/2003
When people hear there is a
Smoking Popes tribute record out, their first reaction may very well be incredulity. This is certainly understandable, because
the Smoking Popes only released two full-length albums and neither one was much of a hit. Once you realize that there is a push underway to make sure every band who ever recorded a note of music is feted with a tribute record, it begins to make more sense. Seriously,
the Smoking Popes were influential in a small way. Along with
Weezer, they were one of the few post-
Dookie bands to add more
pop than
punk to their mix of
punk-pop and became a source of inspiration to many of the melodically inclined
emo bands. Some of them are to be found on the roster of
pop-punkers paying tribute here. The big names are
the Red Hot Valentines, who cover
"Rubella";
Saturday Supercade, who tackle
"I Love You Paul"; the musically adventurous
Bad Astronaut, who cover
"Megan"; and
the Ataris, who do
"Pretty Pathetic." The rest of the lineup is more obscure, but one might say that is a fitting testament to the relative obscurity of
the Smoking Popes. One odd thing about the record is the presence of former
Smoking Popes drummer
Mike Felumlee, who contributes a version of
"Don't Be Afraid." Most bands or artists being tributed tend to steer clear of the process -- it seems wrong somehow to be paying tribute to yourself. No matter, the record is a well-chosen and played tribute to the music and career of
the Smoking Popes and fans will no doubt be thrilled.
~Tim Sendra, All Music Guide
;)
Listen
