V/A – Punk-O-Rama 10 / 2005 Epitaph / 26 Tracks / http://www.epitaph.com / Reviewed 16 June 2005

A number of the tracks on this volume of Punk-O-Rama are from already-out albums by Epitaph, so it seems almost unfair to review them considering that there are a number of completely new (to listeners’ ears) on this disc. Starting off with The Matches’ “Shoot Me in the Smile”, a track which really maintains the flow of “E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals”, these are not tracks that were constructed during the sections as screwing-around type of tracks; “Shoot Me in the Smile” could very well be a single. While not truly “new” (it was released as well on a Smartpunk compilation), From First To Last’s “Failure By Designer Jeans” comes through with the same hybrid of emo and hardcore (especially impressive on the track are the spastic-yet-fitting drums) that really have made them a force in the industry.

What is exciting is the unearthing of “News From The Front”, a 1994 (Stranger Than Fiction-era) track by Bad Religion. The track uses the straight-forward sound of earlier Bad Religion albums but really looks forward to later albums (Process of Belief) in the polished sound (even present during this decidedly-rough recording). This Is Me Smiling really does a 180 when their “Mixin’ Up Adjectives” immediately follows up Bad Religion; using The Who-like synthesizers to start off the track, This Is Me Smiling plays a rapidly-changing style of emo-punk-rock fusion. Starting out slowly is another historical germ – The Offspring’s “Mission From God” (from 1992) – however, after the band has laid down the framework, what follows is an intense, iconic Offspring song.

Dropkick Murphies have seemed to jump from their Irish-punk designation to something vaguely representing oi!, in their “The Warrior’s Code”, and Rancid’s track, even with the incredible bass played by Matt Freeman really just fails to elicit anything new from their general sound. For whatever the MSRP is for this disc (I’ve seen it for $6.99), the ability to pick up so many previously unreleased tracks (of album quality, nonetheless) makes this not just a good album, but really essential in understanding more about Epitaph’s biggest stars (Pulley, Bad Religon, and more!) While a number of the bands on “Punk-O-Rama” may not be considered “punk” by purists, Epitaph has done well in keeping an energy about the disc that does not abate, even when indie-rock-influenced bands (Such as The Special Goodness) slow down the tempo in a considerable way. Pick this up.

Top Tracks: Bad Religion/News From The Front, Dropkick Murphies/The Warrior’s Code

Rating: 8.0/10