ALBUM REVIEW: Dead Formats, Vol. 1 – Pure Noise Records
In collaboration with Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pure Noise Records have released the first volume in what will hopefully be a series of records featuring the label’s roster covering punk, emo, and ska songs that were influential in the scene during 90s and early 00s. The project itself is more a labour of love – a chance for the artists on the record to pay a tribute to the different bands who helped to shape their love of music and to introduce them to a totally new scene, and, of course, the love that encouraged them to start writing and recording their music, and perhaps just maybe encourage the next generation to start their own bands. So, the cycle continues.
When looking at the track listing there are certainly some names that are instantly familiar, like STATE CHAMPS, SEAWAY and HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS, along with songs which will spark a nostalgia trip for many of us. Although along with that nostalgia comes a bit of fear: are these songs going to be ruined?
The answer to that is no. For the most part anyway. The album is filled with plenty of solid pop-punk and rock covers including STATE CHAMPS‘ version of What’s My Age Again, LURK covering Fell In Love With A Girl, and SPANISH LOVE SONGS taking a run at We’ve Had Enough. One thing that can be an issue with a band covering certain tracks is a weird juxtaposition between is it going to sound uninspired or are they going to “ruin” it. But throughout this record we see many examples of artists taking often classic songs and making them their own.
For example, HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS‘ cover of Inside Out remains a solid rock cover that they manage to slip in that certain trademark that lets you know its them with the harmonies of both rough and clean vocals. Or there’s RED CITY RADIO’s cover of Move Along where they could stay loyal to the original, yet they make it their own by making it sound more rough and less polished. But it works, and you still find yourself smiling and singing along.
However, there is one track on here that you will look at and immediately go “oh no”: Welcome To The Black Parade. It’s fair to say that it’s a song that’s almost dangerous to cover, we’re all so familiar with the track that any slight change is enough for us to consider it blasphemous. To be fair to ELDER BROTHER, it was brave of them to even attempt it, but on this occasion the risk didn’t quite pay off. Instead of it being anthemic we’re instead presented with a version that’s almost preachy sounding, like the message of the song is being rubbed in our face; it just doesn’t have that oomph feeling and instead you’re left feeling disappointed.
Fortunately, to make up for it we have what can arguably be considered the standout cover; FOUR YEAR STRONG’s take on Brain Stew/Jaded. It can’t even be put into words apart from saying that they nailed it, they did it justice and they made it their own without disrespecting the original. Amazing.
For a record filled with covers there’s hardly a moment where you’re bored or cringing as bands take on classic songs. Of course, there will be songs you’re not familiar with, but you now can discover something new through an artist you love. The most important part is that the bands on this record don’t try to ‘improve’ or show off during these songs. You know that it’s a labour of love as if to say; “here’s a song we love and helped influence us, let us introduce it to you”.
Rating: 7/10
Dead Formats, Vol. 1 is set for release on August 26th via Pure Noise Records.
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