Reviews

In the fine tradition of Kevin Lyman screwing up music, I present you with the Taste Of Chaos 2 comp. For those that don't know, Lyman started the ever-popular Warped Tour in 1994. At first, the tour was a celebration of alternative music in all forms it took - ska, punk, hip hop, metal, hardcore and even the occasional jazz/swing band or two. But lately, Warped Tour has turned into pop-punk and screamo fest. Also, the tour has gone on to be the most popular and mainstream it has ever been. So I bet Lyman probably thought to himself, "How can I book the same tour but keep it going year round instead of just the summer? That's it!! I'll book the same bands and do it in the winter!!" That is pretty much what Taste Of Chaos was and is.
 
This two-disc affair, which is the sequel to the popular first release, chronicles the best tracks performed by the bands that were on the tour. The comp includes the clear headliners (Thursday, Anti-Flag, Taking Back Sunday), up and coming bands that aspire to sound exactly like the headlining bands (Aiden, Bullet for my Valentine, UnderOath) and the odd band that makes you scratch your head and say, "wait a minute, they actually took a band that didn't suck?" (Dragonforce, Helmet, Gwar). You got to give it to Lyman for getting at least a couple of bands that don't completely blow. 
 
The problem with comps like this is that you probably have the bulk of these tracks already. None of these bands are on struggling indie labels with distribution that only reaches out of their backyard. This could be excused if even half the tracks were live but sadly they are not and are instead taken directly from the records. Why would you call a comp, The Best of Taste of Chaos, when outside of the fact that all the bands played the tour, it has nothing to do with it? A better title would be "Here Are a Bunch of Bands that played A Taste Of Chaos. Pretty Neat, huh?" I wonder what stopped Lyman from doing the job he used to do on the Warped Tour comps? Those mostly had live tracks, or at least some b-sides or covers. This collection lacks that kick that would make it all that more interesting to fans. But apparently I am wrong, considering the first volume sold so well. 
 
Mainly, this is a modern day "emo"'s greatest hits with some metal thrown in. The metal tracks which are included (Walls Of Jericho, Strapping Young Lad, First Blood) are actually pretty good. I am not that much of a metal head but maybe after hearing nearly two hours of ball-less music I enjoyed some songs that I might have never really liked. It must have been funny to watch a mighty band like Dragonforce hit the stage and then have to watch Taking Back Sunday.
 
Whether you are into this scene or not, I think it's best to save your cash. For the diehards, the asking price of nearly 17 dollars should be saved for buying tickets to next year’s tour; you probably have all this music anyways. The price for checking out the bands you don't already know is a little too steep, especially in this day and age where you can just rush over to a band's Myspace page and here them for free.