Punk-O-Rama Volume 4
Straight Outta The Pit

By Rob Selina
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CD: Epitaph 8 714092 656329

  The Punk-O-Rama discs are the epitome of value. Can you say 25 kickin' tracks for $4.99? I'm not kidding, it's a great way to discover new bands, and there are some real good ones on this baby. Epitaph has one of the best collections of punk bands around, and you get a pretty varied pick on this sampler. If you like hardcore Mute 98 style, we got that for ya. Want the ska inspired tunes of the Voodoo Glow Skulls, it's got that too. How about Tom Waits? Yes that's right, Tom Waits in on this great compilation too. Just take a look at the line-up:

1. Pennywise - "Fight It"
2. Pulley - "Second Best" 
3. H20 - "Faster Than The World"
4. Rancid - "1998"
5. Heideroosjes - "Watch Me Play"
6. Bouncing Souls - "Hopeless Romantic"
7. Ten Foot Pole - "The Getaway"
8. ALL - "Think The World"
9. New Bomb Turks: "Snap Decision"
10. Bad Religion: "Generator"
11. Dwarves: "I Will Deny"
12. Straight Faced - "Let's Do This"
13. Agnostic Front - "It's My Life"
14. Beatsteaks - "Panic"
15. Man or Astro-Man - "Theme from Eeviac"
16. Voodoo Glow Skulls - "They Always Come Back"
17. Zeke - "Twisted"
18. Gas Huffer - "Don't Panic" 
19. Tom Waits - "Big In Japan" 
20. Gentleman Jack Grisham - "Someone To Love" 
21. Union 13 - "A Life's Story" 
22. 98 Mute - "Picture This" 
23. Osker - "Lucky" 
24. I Against I - "The Best Place In the World To Leave"
25. NOFX - "Kids Of The K Hole"

Are you running to the record store yet? Okay, I guess I have to tease you a little more. How does an unreleased song by Pennywise sound? It's a great tune, and there are so many of them too.

Do you want to know what the real beauty of this disc is? It's "learning curb". Let me put it to you this way, you'll probably latch on to the more pop inspired songs first. After a while, that won't cut it any more, you'll need a harder hit. Before you know it, nothing short of the hardcore thrash bands will do. Punk-O-Rama keeps you listening until you find a plateau that you like and you can start to explore it. If you get bored with it, move on to something with a different purpose and vibe. When you get into it, punk is about as varied as jazz. Just because I love Patricia Barber does not mean I'm going to like Kenny G. They are worlds apart. You have to search around for that undercurrent that thrills you and ride the wave. Punk-O-Rama 4 is a great way to find that source. For under $5 this cannot be beat. Great music and a killer price make this one highly recommended.

Enjoyment: 89

Sound Quality: 65