Various Artists – The Fest 7

Compilations are a glorious thing and yet sadly a thing of the past. They used to be used to introduce people to new bands, you would pick up a compilation because you knew a band on it and be introduced to a dozen or so new bands in the process and it was glorious. It got to the point where I was anxiously anticipating certain yearly compilations – Punk-O-Rama, The Warped Tour, Hopeless Devoted to You, The Fat Series – these were all great compilations that came out every year and introduced me to some fantastic new bands that I previously didn’t know much about. Now, however, most of those compilations are dead and the few who are still remain aren’t able to introduce me to enough new bands to really get me interested. But luckily for me I may have found a replacement for those favored compilation thanks to No Idea Records and The Fest. For the second year in a row, the Floridian punk rock label is offering a fantastic smorgasbord of music in a free digital download compilation here; and it’s one of the better compilations in a long time.

With thirty four tracks from bands who appeared in last year’s Fest, The Fest 7 is an essential collection of the who’s who of upcoming punk bands. No matter what, this compilation will introduce you to new bands who will soon become your favorite bands of all time. I know it has for me. After all, the quality of bands on here is insanely good; and light years ahead of other compilations (Punk Goes Pop 2? I mean, come on). Here we have real punk bands- fast, abrasive and in your face. These songs are innovative, intelligent and fun all the while staying true to the punk rock roots.

You get the Dillinger Four-esque Off With Their Heads alongside a band who is sure to be the next Vandals with Hometeam and some eighties-hardcore with Religious as Fuck while Chris Wollard & The Ship Thieves sound like a new Joy Division. The Jammy Dodgers deliver an insanely catchy and fun pop-punk with female vocals on No Gods, No Masters and North Lincoln sounds like old Alkaline Trio. Paul Baribeau‘s acoustic Ten Things instantly jumps out with it’s inspirational lyrics. Scouts Honor and Worn In Red both sound like Hot Water Music and, of course, there’s some of your classicNo Idea Records sounding bands like Virgins, Monikers and Gatorface.

Like any compilation though, there are a few tracks that don’t strike my fancy. They tend to be the more hardcore oriented tracks, songs by The Holy Mountain, American Cheeseburger and Worlds; but they’re a minor aspect of the compilation and others will absolutely love them.

If you’re feeling a sense of stagnation with the current crop of bands around, make sure to check out this free download. It’ll restore your faith in the punk rock underground and introduce you to some fantastic new bands at the same time.