Bad Scene, Everyone’s Fault : Jawbreaker Tribute / 18 Tracks / 2003 Dying Wish Records / http://www.dyingwish.com / Reviewed : 21 July 2003 / Released : 29 July 2003

It seems that pretty much every record label is stumbling over themselves to release albums of cover tracks by whatever influential band they can dig up from the early nineties. Some, like Double Zero Records’ Smoking Popes : Tribute, are generally good, only missing a cylinder at times, and some are really strong, like this compilation, put out by Dying Wish Records. Starting out with a very solid version of “Ashtray Monument” by New Jersey’s Bigwig, the disc rapidly shoots off covers of “Chemistry” by Bayside, and a very-Social Distortion influenced cover of “Boat Dreams From the Hill” by Face to Face. The selection of bands to be found on this disc really shine as a testimony to exactly how influential a band like Jawbreaker could be, and the fact that almost all of these bands are solid, well-oiled machines of rock doesn’t harm that case in any way. Duvall really sets the pinnacle for all bands to look up to with “Busy”, which moves from its early nineties-soundtrack feel at the beginning to a hard-rocking wank-fest during the second half of the song. Amplifying the effect that the Duvall track has upon the CD are two straightforward, underachieving tracks by Travoltas (“Bad Scene, Everyone’s Fault), and the Riddlin’ Kids (“Jinx Removing”). Channeling the spirit of Joy Electric in their cover of “Boxcar”, The Aeffect makes a crunchy, psuedo-dance mix short, snappy, and clever. With radio-laden sensibilities, Fall Out Boy’s version of “Save Your Generation” chugs along with a plodding bass line and a re-vamp of the track in the style of The Ataris and Sparta. Speaking of Sparta, they cover “Kiss the Bottle” on this compilation, and the way in which they cover it is as epic as Duvall’s “Busy”, with Smashing Pumpkins “33”-style pianos, along with trippy guitars and throaty vocals.

Top Tracks : Duvall “Busy” –and- Sparta “Kiss the Bottle”