Punk Goes Pop

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 2, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fearless Records
• ASIN: B0000630WG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,618 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars All and All...Pretty Tight, April 3, 2002

By 

James M. Gullard (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Punk Goes Pop (Audio CD)

In my punk/rock circle, this CD has been highly anticipated. I finally got it on Tuesday, and it's pretty good.

Some songs on the CD are unbelieveable. The Starting Line cover of J.Lo's "I'm Real" is probably one of the best punk covers I have ever heard. The Starting Line has been one of my favorite bands since the Sunday Drive days, and now I have more of a reason to like them. The Rufio cover of Madonna's "Like A Prayer" is also pretty tight. They are really musically talented, especially the guitar work. The Knockout cover of Destiny's Child's "Survivor" has an amazing guitar intro and carries the song. Other highlights include Yellowcard's rendition of Michelle Branch's "Everywhere," Fake ID's cover of O-Town's "All or Nothing," and Thrice covering Real Life's "Send Me an Angel."

However, this CD does have some pretty [bad] songs on it. Some songs that I had high hopes for turned out to not live up to what I hoped they would be. Stretch Arm Strong's version of Pink's "Get This Party Started" is one example. Same goes with Slick Shoes's cover of Mandy Moore's "Candy." The Britney Spears covers are pretty bad too ("Sometimes" by Reach the Sky and "...Baby One More Time" by Nicotine).

This CD also features some covers that sound way too close to the original, not really adding any punk edge. This is most notable in the Element 101 cover of Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like A Bird" and sadly Further Seems Forever's cover of the Nsync hit "Bye Bye Bye."

The other songs are pretty mediocre or not stand-out enough. But anyway, the CD's not half bad. Check it out. The songs by Starting Line and Rufio are definately worth a listen.

James M. Gullard<...

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun for Everyone, August 11, 2002

By 

Rosalie J. Lewis "broadcaster" (Lisle, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Punk Goes Pop (Audio CD)

In this delightful collection from Fearless Records, overplayed pop hits get makeovers by punk artists. As unpromising as that might sound, the results are often charming, sometimes cheesy, but always amusing. Whether you loved or hated these anthems to begin with, you'd have to be the world's biggest critic if you didn't find yourself humming along once in a while with this album.

Probably every person who listens has a different opinion of the best songs, but treatments I personally find irresistable include the hardcore remake of Pink's "Get This Party Started" by Stretch Armstrong, Yellowcard's energetic version of "Everywhere" originally by Michelle Branch, an unforgettable punk take on Destiny's Child's "Survivor" by Knockout, and a campy rendition of Mandy Moore's first hit, "Candy," by pop-punk outfit Slick Shoes. And don't miss the irreverent "Like a Prayer," done by Rufio, which blows Madonna's original performance away.

A few songs sound frighteningly close to the original versions, proving that even punk rock stars listen to the radio. Examples include Element 101 on "I'm Like A Bird" (Nelly Furtado), Further Seems Forever with "Bye Bye Bye" ('N Sync, for anyone who lives in a snow cave in Antarctica), and Dynamite Boy performing "I Want It That Way" (Backstreet Boys). That last song is improved by an electric guitar solo that lasts nearly 40 seconds in the middle of the song, but vocally it sounds pretty similar to BSB Nick Carter and Brian Littrell.

Several performances make up for their lack in artistry and musical value by simply skewering pop culture and perhaps setting out to sound even more ridiculous than the actual songs and artists they're covering. Britney Spears and O-Town are both victims of this musical satire, and rightly so since they're probably the most manufactured icons on the market.

For punk fans, this diverse album is definitely worth adding to your collection. For pop fans, think of it as a whole new world that you have to hear to believe. And for everyone else, this CD is just too much fun to miss. So pick up "Punk Goes Pop." You won't be putting it down any time soon.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who cares!, September 26, 2002

By 

Dorkish (Front of Computer, Right Here) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Punk Goes Pop (Audio CD)

damn you stuck up hardcore punk-rocker asswicks..who friggin cares if it's not "PUNK" enough and half the bands on there aren't PUNK-ROCK HARCORE!..what are they supposed to name the album then? "Pop-Punk bands that have ruined "hardcore punk" turn pop, but they're already pop, so this album title is an oxymoron" wtf..people, just enjoy the damn music or don't listen to what you refer to as "not punk enough for your hardcore asses" music. Personally, i think you harcore punkers care more about your punk image, than the preps caring about how trendy they are..GET OVER IT..it's just music..sorry, i had to vent..
On another note, this album has some of the best covers i've listened to..Everywhere by Yellowcard is by far the best, I'm Real by The Starting Line, Get The Party Started by Stretch Arm Strong, Survivor by Knockout are stand outs..some of the Britney covers are a bit sloppy..and i wouldn't say the "I'm Like A Bird" cover is "good"...but all in all, this is a must for people who enjoy covers...hope this helps..