Published on Jun 28, 2000
No matter how good something is, eventually the bubble has to
burst.
Over the past month, we’ve been looking at the initial volumes
of the soon-to-be-mammoth collection
A Fistful Of Rock N’ Roll, featuring bands who care more
about the music than the business behind hit singles. And while I
can’t say I’ve liked every single band I’ve heard, the first three
volumes in the set have shown great promise for everyone involved
in this project.
To say that the bubble has burst on
A Fistful Of Rock N’ Roll Volume 4 is kind of a misnomer;
saying that makes it sound like this disc isn’t worth the 44
minutes it takes to listen to it, and that’s just not the case. But
while this disc is quite listenable and has some outstanding
moments, it does come off as being the weakest of the four volumes
released as of late June 2000.
When it comes to outstanding work, three bands leap to mind
immediately. The first is “Rockets & Bombs” from Stilleto Boys,
a track that just takes the pedal and slams it to the floor with
full intensity. The second is “Zero” from The Reds, a track that
surprises you by sucking you in without you even realizing it.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself feeling disappointed that
this track ends.
The third of the outstanding performers is High School
Sweethearts with “She’s Something” — a track that almost sounds a
little like Veruca Salt in their American Thighs days. I’d be
hard-pressed to call a single like this punk — or even
garage-band, for that matter. But as long as the tune is this good,
who really cares what you call them?
This might lead you to believe that the remaining 12
performances on
A Fistful Of Rock N’ Roll Volume 4 aren’t worthy of mention.
This isn’t true; you can hear some shades of promise in acts like
Lovemasters (“Mr. White”), Graveyard School (“Life’s Crazy”) and
Von Zippers (“Bad Generation”). But nothing really comes out at you
and smacks you in the face like the bulk of the prior three volumes
tends to do. I walked away from the first discs really feeling
energized about the independent scene (although I admit I didn’t
feel quite as strongly about
Volume 3). With this release, it’s not that I feel
disheartened about the scene, it’s that I don’t quite get the same
strong vibe that I’ve felt before.
This isn’t to say that I wouldn’t want to listen to any of the
bands on this compilation again; I’d love to see every single act
on this disc get a fair shot at the spotlight. But
A Fistful Of Rock N’ Roll Volume 4 is missing the impromptu
spark that’s made the previous volumes in the collection so
special.
The next volumes in the set are scheduled to be released in the
next few months. Maybe the short break between releases will be
enough to get this set’s batteries recharged — and I’ll be eagerly
awaiting the next volume.