This is a really cool idea. I have to give props to Reinforcement Records, and I wish them all the blessings in their future endeavors. So like the bio says each band contributes the equivalent of a 7" or maybe even an EP, then the label took all the submissions and put it onto one CD. The Commercials start out the CD with their classic new school punk rock. They are from Harrisburg PA so I have been able to see them a few times live already. I guess they kind of remind me of Blink 182, or maybe even the Get Up Kids at times, although their drummer (who was on this CD, and may not even really be in the band anymore) plays way too fast at times, and their singer doesn't have quite as good a voice as the guys from Blink 182 or the Get Up Kids. But the songs on here are pretty solid punk rock tunes. Well with the exception of "Immediately" which is more of a Indie Rock Ballad. Cool tune to say the least, is that a different singer? The band Tinkle contributes 4 songs to this compilation. Tinkle kind of has that low-fi pop punk sound, production quality on their songs suck, reminds me a lot of old Green Day, or the Queers. Pretty good stuff if the recording was better. The Young Hasselhoffs were by far the best band on this comp. They kind of remind me of Squirtgun. Really good pop punk, I really like their singers voice, and the vocal melodies they use. Their one song, "C'mon Let's Go" is one of the best true pop punk tunes I have heard in a while. The production on their songs were pretty good too. Too bad they only contributed 3 songs. Heft totally reminded me of Less Than Jake. I thought their song, "Sometimes" was Less Than Jake when I first heard it. The rest of their songs on this compilation have a little bit more of a ska feel to them. The Abducted songs have more of less polished pop punk feel to them, not bad, just not really good. The Vapids are more or less just pretty much Punk Rock. I really didn't dig them too much. Santa's Dead finishes out the CD similar in style to the Abducted, sloppy punk rock, with a bit of pop feel. Overall this is a really good compilation. The bands at the beginning of the CD are better than the bands at the end. Cool idea on the labels part, and solid submissions from all the bands. To sum things up, if you get a chance to check this CD out do so, pay close attention to the Commercials, and the Young Hasselhoffs. Definitely my two favorites from this compilation.
C+
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 1999Reviewed by ConradThis compilation of 7 inches is pretty good and it takes me back to the day when punk was a lot more underground than today's MTV punk. Most all the bands fall into the category of Lookout Punk - straight ahead mid-tempo pop-punk with no gimmicks. Most of these bands are just trying to write really catchy songs - thank you! All the songs are poorly recorded, but that is a good thing in this case…Decapolis 1999Reviewed by TimI've seen the Goons live, they opened for the Mr. T Experience at a show with about 10 people in the audience sometime in September 97. They annoyed me then, and they still do now. Aside from their music, most of this CD is really good. It's a good pop album, and no matter how much people insist that it is punk it's just simple pop. It has a sound that can be found on any lookout records…
