Various Artists - Rock Against Bush Vol. 1 (2004)

Country: U.S.A.

Genre: Punk Rock

Label Number: FAT675-2

.FLAC via Florenfile

.AAC 256 kbps via Florenfile

© 2004 Fat Wreck Chords

Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 Review by Johnny Loftu

Fat Mike freely admits to his spotty voting record. But that didn't stop him from founding www.punkvoter.org, an organization with a mission to mobilize young voters against President Bush and his administration's policies, and make 2004 the year punk spoke. Rock Against Bush features music from 26 likeminded artists, as well as a DVD packed with insightful, inciting political rabble-rousing and videos from types like Bad Religion, Anti-Flag, and Fat Mike's own NOFX. None More Black kicks things off with the martial, spittle-flying stomp of "Nothing to Do When You're Locked in a Vacancy," and Alkaline Trio's "Warbrain" attempts to save the world with a righteous pop-punk melody and memories of better days. The Offspring's "Baghdad" isn't the greatest song ever, but it's interesting that it dates from 1991 and the first Bush presidency. Speaking of the first Bush, Ministry returns with the frenetic industrial clatter of "No W," which updates the 1992 rant "N.W.O." with samples from the latest Bush president. Veteran D.I.Y. firebrands Jello Biafra and Billy Bragg are here, the latter teaming with Less Than Jake for "Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out." The Ataris cover Bad Religion's "Heaven Is Falling" acoustically, and Social Distortion's "Prison Bound" will hopefully turn A New Found Glory fans on to Prison Bound. Other highlights of Rock Against Bush include the bopping neo-new wave of the Epoxies, the Soviettes' raucous "¡Paranoia! Cha-Cha-Cha," and Authority Zero's "Revolution." There are also stylistic detours from Denali (the austere "Normal Days") and the World/Inferno Friendship Society ("Expatriate Act"). There's a rousing, ruefully funny essay from Fat Mike in the liner notes; 17 of the comp's 26 tracks are unreleased or otherwise rare; and Fat Wreck is giving the thing away for six bucks. If that's not enough incentive, the set's DVD portion includes a piece of typically scathing comedy from David Cross.

tags: various artists, rock against bush vol 1, 2004, flac,