Album Review: Change! - 'CD/DVD'

Compilations are more often

than not a hit or miss affair, but when you combine a diverse list of

today’s most popular punk (and I’m using the term loosely here,

because I’m not going to use the dreaded E word) and metal bands,

put it together in one affordable package and donate 5% of the profits

to a good cause, then you’ve got something pretty cool on your hands. 

Change is the latest

venture from those charitable folks over at Hopeless and Subcity

Records, and with Hot Topic’s massive distribution and backing, they’ve assembled a CD /DVD package

which should please even the most jaded music fan. 

First up, the audio half of Change. If camp, skinny men wearing matching outfits is your thing,

then you’re going to be happy with the inclusion of Aiden, Alesana, Chiodos and Silverstein. While I can’t

say that I’m a fan of any of these bands it’s good to see that they’ve

all contributed proper tracks to this release, as opposed to throwing

the labels an un-mastered demo which they’ve discarded.  

If you’re after something

with some balls then Every Time I Die, Gallows, Poison

The Well and homegrown favourites Parkway Drive should do

the job, while all you kids out there in tech metal land will be satisfied

with tunes from The Chariot, The Human Abstract, See

You NextTuesday and Job For A Cowboy. 

If you’re like me and you

have to watch a band’s videos on YouTube then you’re going

to love the DVD component. There’s the token cheesy performance videos

with a bad story line (thank you Silverstein) and of course there’s

one band who are convinced they are legit 80’s rock stars… except

they sound like The Used (yep, I’m looking at you Escape

The Fate), but if you can get past that shit then you’ll find

some real gems on here. 

In true Every Time I Die

fashion, the perennially bass-less Buffalo band have come up with another

humorous clip, and The Chariot’s collection of close to 4,000

still shots makes for a unique looking video. As I Lay Dying’s effort for “Nothing Left” looks like it has a bigger budget than

most Australian films while Converge’s “No Heroes” is a stunning amalgamation of the band’s own live

performances and Jake’s renowned artwork. 

If you’re after a mix CD

for the car or you’d like to see some of your favourite band’s videos

somewhere other than the internet then Change is a worthwhile

purchase, one which is for a good cause!

CD 

Chiodos – Teeth The Size

Of Piano Keys

Silverstein – If You Could

See Into My Soul

Saosin – Collapse

Alesana – Ambrosia

Every Time I Die – We’re

Wolf

The Chariot –