V/A – Punks And Pints / 2004 Sterling Sliver Records / 22 Tracks / http://www.sterlingentertainment.org / http://www.punksandpints.com / Reviewed 06 February 2004

Since the advent of grunge, one doesn’t hear about anything important from the Pacific Northwest, especially in the punk side of things (with Virus Nine being probably the only band I can immediately come up with). However, Sterling Sliver is trying their best to show that the scene isn’t completely dead, with their 22 shot barrage of acts from the area. Starting off with the Monster Magnet meets Corrosion of Conformity and Bosstones ska/hasher-rock of The Hell Yeahs, Sterling Sliver starts out strong. Bringing out a NoFX meets 7 Seconds/Descendents sound, Fifty Fifty’s “Golden Ears” is a track that is benefited from a solid mastering as well as break-neck pace and impressive arrangements. Even what an individual has thought previously about pop-punk music is turned on its head by the heavily Weezer-influenced Instant Winner, mixing the snotty vocals of a Billy Talennt with a beyond-talented drum line and bouncy tone.

Early on in the disc is a point so high that listeners will confuse it with one of the Cascade mountains – the multiple-harmonies of Truce, in their track “Blind By Red”. I almost feel bad with this review, as each of the cuts on Punks and Pints are so far beyond the normal fare I receive – I can’t give each band the proper time they deserve. Sledgeback mixes the gritty vocals of Rise Against with intricate guitar licks and Freeman-esque bass lines in their emo-one-minute, punk-the-next track “Pants Off”. And you guessed it as well – the second after I laud the consistency of this disc, Punks & Pints lets off two turds: The Spit-Licks’ “Strummin’ Joe” comes off as a weak retread of the Ramones and Agent 86’s “Rally ‘round the Flag” never gets started. Autonomadic’s “Pigtails” sputters a little at the beginning but mixes the fury of punk with the alternative –rock of the Spin Doctors and Nirvana to make an incredibly infectious track.

White Knuckle Ride’s “Raise Some Hell” fits perfectly between oi and psychobilly, and aside from a stutter-step here and there, Punks & Pints is one of the most solid compilations I’ve heard in the last few years. In fact, the only possible comparison I can make for the quality of this disc would be the always-excellent Hussieskunk discs, and this album is done without the help of already-established bands. In fact, I can honestly say that before I threw on this disc, I had absolutely no idea who any of these bands were. I want to know more now!

Top tracks: Autonomadic’s Pigtails, Sledgeback’s Pants Off Rating: 8.4/10