Various Artists – Punk Goes Acoustic

Fearless Records have finally released their third installment in their Punk Goes… series. This time, it’s Punk Goes Acoustic. After having many problems with labels, distribution companies, and production; the label was finally able to release this 20 song album of bands covering their own songs acoustically.

It’s always good to sit back and remember the roots of all music. The time before computers came into play; the time before the electric guitars became the most popular; the time of acoustic guitars. Some songs on the album have lost the power that their original version had. Take Taking Back Sunday‘s song, Cute Without The “E”. The song, like the original version, is vocally driven; but without the hard guitar and bass melodies, the song loses some of it’s power.

The opposite also happens on many of the tracks. Finch‘s Letters To You is just as powerful as ever. Nate’s vocals have a melodic feel to it as he goes through lyric after lyric. It reminds you what the band can really do. Rise Against took me by total surprise with one of the best acoustic songs of the year in their track called Swing Life Away. Other standout tracks are Sugarcult‘s, Midtown‘s and Yellowcard‘s additions to the compilation.

Fearless Records have given us a treat here. It was well wroth having to wait for the album to finally be released after many pushbacks. Like I said before, it’s always nice to just sit back and reflect on how music became what it is today. And plus, you get a special split CD with Fearless Records and Victory Records along with the album as a bonus.