Reviews

It's not easy to be acoustic, that's for sure. You've either got the voice,
or you don't. Many of these musicians have got it, and sadly, many just
don't. Not to say they're not good musicians, it's just that either the
particular song just wasn't meant to be acoustic, or they just don't have the
vocals to go with acoustic guitar. I wouldn't have started out this CD with
Open Hand's "Time To Talk," but Open Hand made a good impact. Moving on, is
Thrice with "Trust." I think Thrice is one of those bands, that no matter
what they do, they not only make it their own unique style and sound, but they
do it well. Yellowcard, on the other hand, has their good points, and their
not so good points. This song may be acoustic, but the drums are overpowering
and I can barely hear the guitar at points. There are too many things going on
in this song for an album where all of the other songs are so
simple. Sugarcult's acoustic version of "Memory," is clean and well
done. Not a big Sugarcult fan myself, I must say that the vocals are great
acoustic. Finch's acoustic version of "Letters To You" is not very good at
all.  Keep it electric. I've never been too crazy about Thursday, but
"A Hole In The World," isn't bad at all.
                                                               We're
up to number seven, The Starting Line, who never cease to wreak havoc on my ear
drums. It could have been worse, I could have been on the floor in a fetal
position screaming for it to stop. Strung Out salvaged the record after The
Starting Line, with their rendition of "Velvet Alley."  Just when I was
starting to enjoy acoustic music again, The Ataris ruined it.  Once upon a
time, this band was tolerable, but now they're just annoying. I've always
been a Taking Back Sunday fan, but the acoustic version of "Cut From The Team"
is laughable.  I'm sorry guys, but just don't try to make that song
acoustic. From Autumn to Ashes pulled TBS out of the dog house with
"Chloroform Perfume," and Rise Against provided a breath of fresh air with
"Swing Life Away." I must say, "Swing Life Away" is one of the best songs on
here.  Piebald is wonderful as usual, but what's there bad to say about
Piebald?  Rufio had to be the biggest surprise on this
compilation. The vocals were crisp, and didn't sound half as whiny or
overdone as they usually do.  I must commend Rufio for their song, "The
King."
                                                                             The
second half of this CD just blows the first half out of the water, especially
with Strike Anywhere's "Chalk Line" and Noise Ratchets "Away To The
Heart."  Both of these songs were just made to be acoustic
wonders. Coalesce was also fairly good with their track, "Blue Collar
Lullaby." Being a Grade fan, I was a little disappointed with "Gathering
The Darkness."  It's a good song and would have sounded much better being
electric. Glasseater was good with their song, "Alone In The World." Even the
title sounds like it would be acoustic. Midtown closed out this album, and
I think that was a great choice. Midtown's acoustic songs have always
impressed me, just as this one, "Knew It All Along," did. All in all,
there were some immaculate recordings, some surprises and even a few
atrocities. Good compilation.