H2O - Don't Forget Your Roots

Since 1995 H20 and singer Toby Morse have been the hyperactive torchbearers for the message of "PMA", (Positive Metal Attitude) educating the world through their music and actions. Throughout their decade and a half existence they've often worn their influences on their sleeves. From early roots in the DC area to their days in New York and beyond.

On Don't Forget Your Roots" the band has decided to enter the much too often slippery slope of the "Tribute Album". When any band decides to do a "Covers" or "Tribute" album there are obviously going to be risks involved. Music's landscape, along with most record stores cut out bins, is littered with those who have tried in the past. The idea of covering a favorite song or paying tribute to the ones that inspired us to pick up an instrument and go fucking ape shit seems sincere enough. However it is not without it's pitfalls. There's the risk of completely failing to capture the original song/bands energy, quality or overall angst is a costly undertaking. While some of the most sincere bands often come off sounding like the cover band that plays at the local college every weekend.

In this particular case, H2O and to be more specific, Toby, aren't really guilty of any of these clichés but they're not exactly making a good argument as to why bands should continue this ritual. Toby really does a great job on 7 Seconds "Satyagraha" and handles
Social Distortion's "Sick Boy" with a sense of ease that is amazing. The bands homage to
Joey Ramone on "I Wanna Live" is worth both mention and praise. Though there are a few highlights, Rancid's "Journey to the End" and Sick of it All's "Friends Like You" come to mind. The problem lies in the plain simple fact that there are too many others that are either immediately forgettable or simply unbearable. The classic "Train in Vain” by the Clash is unfortunate while The Mighty Mighty Bosstones "Someday I Suppose" fails terribly with the absence of a horn section. Another problem that is quite evident throughout is that
Toby Morse simply doesn't have the vocal range for a lot of songs covered here. Though this isn't a terrible record, it is at it's very best, tolerable. "Don't Forget Your Roots" has it moments but overall fails to really reach it goals. Not bad for die-hard fans of the band but I don't think this will win them many new ones. James Damion
Buy it Here

PastPresent - Breaking Out the Classics

In its existence of more than twenty years Revelation Records have released some of the most groundbreaking records while introducing our ears to some of the most essential Hardcore and Underground bands out there. Their footprint on musics landscape is almost immeasurable.

The labels early offerings brought us the likes of Warzone,

Sick of it All, Gorilla Biscuits, Side by Side, Youth of Today, Quicksand, Burn and

Inside Out. Bands that defined Hardcore during their existence and whose influence is still being felt till this day. Looking back it's a wonder something like this wasn't done sooner.

On "Past Present" current and past Revelation bands cover the classic and even more current songs of Past Revelation bands. Looking at the collection presented here, one can only wonder what the process of choosing from a wide array of life changing songs the labels catalog had to offer.

"Past Present" starts on a high note with Sick of it All's cover of the Warzone classic

'As One' and his highlighted by Death By Stereo (Break Down the Walls), Down to Nothing (Where it Went), Countdown to Life (Burning Fight), Capital (Out of Time). Along the way there are plenty of highlights and few low lights. The only notable clunkers on this otherwise perfect homage come from Bold (Searching for the Light) and Mikoto (Back and to the Left.) Overall there are 23 tracks by 22 bands and artists.

Tribute and Cover albums too often fail to achieve their given task but this record more than accomplishes it's rather epic goal. I'd highly recommend picking up a copy.

After you're done be sure to revisit Revelations catalog of landmark releases.

You will be rewarded greatly.

James Damion

Revelation Records