Customer Reviews

Before You Were Punk 2

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As if the music of the 80's wasn't good enough, the lovely people at Vagrant Records (of California...not to be confused with the Vagrant Records in Seattle) have made the songs we loved (those of us who grew up with them) even better. Though I can't compare this album to the first Before You Were Punk Album, because I don't have it, I can give my unbiased opinion of this one.

I think it is wonderful, except for a few songs I don't care for, such as the butchering of "Every Breath You Take" by Strung Out (which is an understatement). The songs are as peppy as the originals, but turned up a notch with the infusion of punk. You can't go wrong with bands like RFTC, Gotohells, The Get Up Kids, MXPX, and the Hippos contributing to a compilation album.

Final word - if you like 80's music and you love punk, this one's for you, baby. My #1 song pick on the album: "Close to You", a cover of a Cure song by the Get Up Kids. Absolutely fabulous.

I am sad to say that this album was a tad flat in comparison with the first Before You Were Punk. This hurts to say because I am a fan of many bands that appear on this album. The problem is that they don't convince me that these songs were done due a personal mission to revive them. It feels more like they were offered a few dollars to record a song and then go back to the bar. Yes folks, I am saying that this album lacks passion. If you like the eighties and new punk I would advise one to pick up the first release. You will have more memories haunting you and your mind will ache from singing them over and over in your head.

This is by far one of the best cd's I have. Every single song on it rules, especially Every Breath You Take and Regret. Some of these bands have so much talent, taking old songs and adding a little bit of 90's punk to them. A must buy for anyone who likes good punk and 80's rock. I guarantee that you will like it.

As if one 80's nostalga comp wasn't enough, Vagrant brings round 2 of your favorite punkers remembering the past. This star-studded comp contains big names such as NOFX, MxPx, The Get Up Kids, and Lagwagon. Maybe it's cause I'm a bit too young, but I don't recall ever hearing half these songs. There's only about half the songs that jog my memory on this CD, which are: the Suicide Machines' decent cover of "What I Like About You", the Hippos' quirky, MOOGish-sounding "Our Lips Are Sealed" by the Go Go's, the Bouncing Souls note for note rendition of "Don't You Forget About Me" (seriously, it sounds almost identical to the original; hearing it made me want to go watch "The Breakfast Club" again), the Gotohell's simple punk cover of "Just What I Needed" (I think this song is a staple for any halfway decent punk band to cover at some point in their career), Strung Out's completely horrible version of "Every Breath You Take," and ending the CD there is ALL's weak cover of "Rebel Yell" by the first punker I ever saw on TV, Mr. Billy Idol. I don't know if I should've paid full-price for this, but it is fairly enjoyable, if not for the music then for the hilarious 80's yearbook photos inside.

I am sad to say that this album was a tad flat in comparison with the first Before You Were Punk. This hurts to say because I am a fan of many bands that appear on this album. The problem is that they don't convince me that these songs were done due a personal mission to revive them. It feels more like they were offered a few dollars to record a song and then go back to the bar. Yes folks, I am saying that this album lacks passion. If you like the eighties and new punk I would advise one to pick up the first release. You will have more memories haunting you and your mind will ache from singing them over and over in your head.

well this is a cool cd. who woulda thought that 90's punk bands would do such awesome cover songs from the 80's. its damn good...its just that a few songs soung almost exactly like the origanals....kinda strange.....

After the bloody mess that was the first "Before you were punk," it looks like most of the bands on this album decided to record sober and maybe rehearse a couple of times before they recorded. That may make them less "punk rock," but at least for me it makes them easier to listen to.

There are still plenty of songs here that are carbon copies of the originals, but there are stand-out tracks as well. NOFX's Electricity is an adrenaline rush, Bring on the Dancing Horses is great, and Strung Out effectively exposes the obsessive creepiness at the heart of Every Breath You Take.

It's still not consistently good enough to warrant buying it -- borrow it and grab some songs for a mix, like I did -- but it's at least listenable.

If you want some great cover tunes and you like more melody with your punk, check out Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.

Some pretty good bands on here, although the 80's songs are a little more obscure on this one from the last. The Get Up Kids and Strung Out both add some punch to the songs they cover.

I found this CD while I was just chillin @ amazon one day, I sampled it, and I fell in love with it. The tunes are catchy, but it has that sweet punk twist to it, so even though its old skool music, its really jammin! After listening to the samples over and over again, I finally decided to buy it, and now I listen to it 24/7! My favorite song on here is "Our Lips Are Sealed" by The Hippos. Not to mention that they are my favorite band. & lucky you, you can sample that one above. I think that song, along with the songs sung by The Suicide Machines & MxPX are what really made me decide to buy it. But, trust me, the rest of the tracks are great as well.

The only thing that really shines on this album is Strung Outs cover of every breath you take. Anyone who says this song blows is a complete moron. For the rest of the songs, ehh...., a lot of bands could have picked better songs to cover. Overall buy it used or discounted.