V/A – Open 24 Hours (Diner Junkie Records)

August 2, 2009 by: punkrockreview

Click on cover art to buy.

V/A – Open 24 Hours (Diner Junkie Records) – This compilation is the first release from Diner Junkie Records and has been in the works for quite sometime. It is finally out and has been worth the wait. This Pop Punk/ Power Pop laden twenty-two song compilation jams a ton of well known to soon to be known bands for 52+ minutes good listening. The album starts with The Tattle Tales song “Lucky Girl” which is one of the Tattle Tales best songs and a solid upbeat intro to the album. The album has some great names attached to the project with a new Queers song, “Aishiteruyo Kanojo”, The Parasites – “Say It Again”, Steinways – “Dear Girl”, Pink Lincolns “Happy Hour” & a bunch of great others. The one fault I found in this album was minor. I wasn’t found of the sequencing of the songs. Like most other compilations there were a few songs that weren’t as solid as the others and would have thought those would have been hidden…I mean mixed into the fold a little better. Ok so that’s more of a personal thing, but hey I had to find something I didn’t like. Top three songs from “Open 24 Hours” in my opinion are;

GOOD
Tri-Fives – “Thick or Thin” – Just a little more energy than some of the others, without losing its pop punk beat.

Session Eight – “What She Has” – Wow, snotty female vocals without sounding exaggerated and intentional. I really like the scratchiness of the vocals with slick hooks and edgy riffs.

Wax.On Wax.Off – “We Will Make It Far (Everybody Wants To Touch Me)” – Sarcastic vocals that touch on the rock star intentions of some bands. The bass is bouncy, the riffs and vocals are upbeat and the song is makes you tap along with every beat.

BAD
I have to point out that the Darlington song “SUV” sounds like the 21st century version of the Billie Joel pop rap clunker “We didn’t start the fire”. I know that Darlington gets a lot of shit right or wrong, but this one takes the cake.

This is a solid compilation with great cover art (by the infamous punk rock artist; Cristy Road) available from some great people at Diner Junkie Records and would recommend picking up to check out some new bands.