Various Artists: Punk-O-Rama Vol. 9 (Epitaph)
Nine years ago the annual Punk-O-Rama compilation records were launched. Intended to help promote new punk songs by Epitaph bands, the albums helped make punk bands such as NOFX and Dropkick Murphys known to thousands of people.
Punk-O-Rama Vol. 9 is the latest addition to the series. This album includes 24 tracks by some of the best punk bands on the label, including Bad Religion, Rancid and Pennywise. Vol. 9 also comes with a bonus DVD that includes 11 music videos from bands including Pulley, Randy, Matchbook Romance and many more. Veteran Punk-O-Rama bands such as Bad Religion, Rancid and Dropkick Murphys provide some best tracks on the record, with songs such as Social Suicide (Bad Religion), Tropical London (Rancid) and The Dirty Glass (Dropkick Murphys). Newer bands such as Scatter the Ashes also provide good tracks such as City in the Sea.
The biggest disappointment with Punk-O-Rama Vol. 9 is the lack of punk music on it. Hip-hop songs on this record by artists such as Atmosphere and emo songs by bands such as Matchbook Romance have no place on an album whose title suggests pure punk rock music. Overall, Vol. 9 is more of an emo sounding album than it is punk and the addition of hip-hop is unnecessary. Fans of the pervious Punk-O-Rama albums will most likely find that Vol. 9 is the worst addition to the series.
