So, Bring On Mixed Reviews

Take Action! – Volume 9 – Review

Release Date: February 9th, 2010
Record Label: Hopeless/Sub City Records
Genre: Rock

Well it just so happens to be a new year and you must know what that means. Time to help others less fortunate than yourselves? Of course not — what the hell is wrong with you? Oh wait, that is what we’re here for. More appropriately it is because the nice folks over at Hopeless Records and Sub City Records have decided to keep a good thing going and have released their exclusive-song-filled compilation, Take Action Volume 9. Charity of any measure should be applauded, but lately it felt as if Take Action! had been phoning in many of the tracks from their efforts and tossing DVDs and common songs in place of exclusive and covers that really got people interested in the compilation at first.

Luckily for those listening, and more importantly those who chose to go out and buy this record, Hopeless/Sub City have stepped up their game. Different from a majority of other volumes, this one features more original recordings, including an abundance of acoustic sets, covers, and remixes. It does begin with the familiar “PSA” delivered by a popular band of the time, this time happening to be We The Kings, after which there are rarely any tracks that make this compilation feel anything less than completely satisfying. Also, “Volume 9” ditches the cliche CD/DVD for a 2CD that feels more appropriate, and gives more work for our stereos.

Fans of veteran bands might be troubled to see a ton of new comers added on this release. The days of having traditional punk, ala Volume 5, or the post hardcore loaded Volume 3, are over. Your selections are pretty much either pop punk or hardcore this time around. A Rocket To The Moon, Every Avenue, Anarbor, and The Summer Set give those pop rock addicts out there their fix, while the more aggressive bands Bring Me The Horizon, August Burns Red, and I Set My Friends On Fire continue to court those metal/post hardcore listeners enough to check out the release.

What really shines here though is the very personal acoustic sets, most of which are exclusive to this effort. The live acoustic version of The Dangerous Summer‘s “Surfaced” alone is worth buying it, even though its sound quality is a bit suspect. But gems such as “Permanent Heartbreak (Acoustic)” by The Friday Night Boys, and my personal favorite “TGIF” from The Secret Handshake‘s latest album, assure there is barely any filler for the latest Take Action! The filler that makes up about 5% (ironically the amount of sales that is donated to charity) of Volume 9, are the stand out boring tracks — most notably All Time Low‘s “Poison.” What happened guys? Too busy to stop by and do an acoustic jam or goofy crunk cover? I would have enjoyed that, but no such luck — as well as Eatmewhileimhot (what the hell), who or what are you?

Either way, the good heavily outweighs the mundane with Take Action!’s latest. I like to see progress in a reoccurring compilation and if these guys can keep coming out with mostly exclusive songs that take a different look at a certain artist (ie. acoustics or remixes) than I will be more than happy to give every volume a hearty listening to. So let’s recap — more music, more original tracks, popular artists (at least for the time being), and it’s all for charity? I’m sold and ready to take some action. Well, 5% action is more like it. ~Staff

Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:
Disc 1:
1. We The Kings – PSA
2. We The Kings – The Middle (Acoustic)
3. Mayday Parade – The Silence (Hurley Studio Acoustic)
4. There For Tomorrow – Backbone (Acoustic)
5. A Rocket To The Moon – Fool Everyone
6. The Ready Set – Drain Notes
7. We Are The In Crowd – Never Be What You Want
8. Every Avenue – Picture Perfect (featuring Tom Higgenson)
9. The Bigger Lights – Queen of Broken Hearts
10. This Providence – Keeping On Without You
11. The Friday Night Boys – Permanent Heartbreak (Acoustic)
12. Anarbor – Passion For Publication (Acoustic)
13. The Dangerous Summer – Surfaced (Acoustic)
14. Hit The Lights – Liars and Cheats
15. The Summer Set – Punch-Drunk Love (Acoustic)
16. The Swellers – Feet First (Acoustic)
17. Frank Turner – Rock and Roll Romance
18. Fake Problems – Mr. Rock and Roll

Disc 2:
1. 3OH!3 – Don’t Trust Me (Casey Bates Remix)
2. Cobra Starship – Hot Mess (Innerpartysystem Remix)
3. Let’s Get It – Maps (Joey Sturgis Remix)
4. The Secret Handshake – TGIF
5. Lights – Saviour (Colin Munroe’s Unsung Mix)
6. VersaEmerge – Whisperer (Brian Southall Remix)
7. Bring Me The Horizon – Sleep With One Eye Open (Tek One Remix)
8. August Burns Red – Indonesia (Alternate Mix)
9. EATMEWHILEIMHOT! – xXBurritoXx
10. I Set My Friends On Fire – Things That Rhyme With Orange
11. Taking Back Sunday – Swing (Live in London)
12. All Time Low – Poison
13. The Downtown Fiction – I Just Wanna Run
14. The Almost – Birmingham
15. Set Your Goals – The Lost Boys
16. Take Notice – Northward Winds Were Bound To Happen
17. Broadway Calls – Jump At Shadows