Various Artists – Draggin’ The Lake 2

Now I was looking forward to the release of this compilation album. It was on an amazing record label (Side One Dummy), an even better clothes company (Atticus) and of course, I loved the first release in this series. I’m upset to say I was slightly disappointed, the first release was so much better then this, the second. Of course, this compilation has it’s fair collection of good song. A more emotional album then the first with bands like Rocket From The Crypt, Taking Back Sunday, Further Seems Forever, Thrice and so on, but still has some more punk songs by bands like Blink182, Drop Kick Murphys,Lagwagon and ending it all off is a live song (Crawl) by Alkaline Trio (once again the final song is live in London, the first release had Jimmy Eat World live in London for the final track).  Overall, there is something for everyone on there, no matter what style you like. Now to go over some of the tracks which need a little more said about them.

Track 4- Finch – Worms Of The Universe
I am a big fan of Finch and just loved their album, but this track, which received so much publicity is just not one of the better songs by the group. The screaming vocals are overdone a bit, to a point which you can not understand a single word he is saying.

Track 5 – Dropkick Murphys – Field Of Athenry
A nice little song to slow the pace of the fats emotional filled songs that fill up the album. The DKM donate another great Irish song, with bag pipes and all. It is not their best song but yet, still one which you listen to constantly. Catchy vocals, good music and beat and of course, the bagpipes! A nice little addition and a powerful rendition of musical talent.

Track 10 – Suicide Machines – All My People
This is an amazing punk rock song. Fast paced, heavy guitar and a hard drumbeats. Steady vocals with catchy vocals ripe through the full song at a fast pace making an amazing song as we near the half way point of the CD. A definite band to check out.

Track 17 – H20- All We Want
I will admit that I do not know a lot by the guys in H20, but I do like this song by them. It is a slower song then most of the CD with catchy vocals and an incredibly guitar beat, especially in the last 30 seconds where all you hear basically is the guitar and vocals as the rest goes down to basically nothing.

Track 20 – Mighty Mighty Bosstones – A Jackknife To A Swan
What else can I say other then a great ska song by an even greater ska band!

Track 26 – Alkaline Trio – Crawl (Live In London!)
The trio, a band I adore, play one of their classics here live to the good people in London. It is really nice to hear that they sound almost the same live as they do in their recordings, none of that computer stuff done. The song isn’t their best, but still a very good one, catchy vocals and wonderful rhythms. A perfect choice to cap of the compilation.

Other songs that deserve a mention on this compilation are the likes of Taking Back Sunday, Thrice, Lagwagon,  Maxeen and Blink 182. If you liked the first CD by Atticus, then you will most likely like this one as well, although not nearly as much. If you are a fan of the very very emotional style of music, then you will like this album.