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Various artists

Rock Against Bush Vol. 1 (Fat Wreck Chords)

By Mikael Wood

Published on April 29, 2004

Who knew Gavin Rossdale inspired such animosity within the punk community? Sure, Bush's flashy grunge fluff refigured Kurt Cobain's hard-won angst into product for junior high mall stalkers, and, yeah, getting militant noisenik Steve Albini to produce 1996's Razorblade Suitcase was kind of a coup. But 26 tracks dedicated to their dismissal? Talk about teen spirit. Um, ha ha. The real question this anti-Dubya compilation asks is: When was the last time the Get Up Kids and Ministry rubbed elbows? Here the Kids improve on the wan emo-rock they've been making lately with "Lion and the Lamb," a pretty little plea for peace with room for both slashing guitars and tinkling pianos; two tracks later, Al Jourgensen observes that "half the world is down the toilet" over grinding synth-metal that proves it. And how do the Descendents not suck yet? Their "Sad State of Affairs" is a satisfying blast of taut pop-punk with skank in its step and compelling ambivalence in its spiel; it's followed by Authority Zero's younger, dumber "Revolution." Elsewhere, (relative) variety rules: Against Me!'s punkabilly blues, Strike Anywhere's clean-cut hardcore, the Ataris' acoustic pop, Denali's post-Portishead art-rock. All that's missing? Gavin Rossdale's hunky yelp.


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