1. Scream Hello “Bears Come Out Tonight” 3/10
A little punk number, nothing special. Vocals are not very strong. This is tad on the bland side. Nothing really special going on here. Not much else to say about this really.
2. Nakatomi Plaza “Not Hopeless” 7/10
This is a lot better than the last track. Nice little electro intro that draws you in. Great female vocals, nice little breakdown in the middle followed by a great solo. The song also has some nice dynamics to it. Nice happy pop rock stuff. Only bad point is that it takes a long time for the track to kick in.
3. Dear Tonight “You Have Too Much Faith In Us” 6/10
This is another punk track, which is better than the first one on this CD. This track is a cross between The Refused and Millencolin. Starts off ok but gets really stuck in when the guitar harmony kicks in on the second verse.
4. Polar Bear Club “Our Ballads” 5/10
This is again more pop edged punk. I’m not sure whether its me but all this stuff just sounds very similar and just comes across very formulated. It all sounds like the same old stuff.
5. Attica Attica “”Motion Sickness” 8/10
Ok, now here is a bit of contrast, a nice ballad with simple piano, light strings and some passionate singing. This is a good song. It’s easily the best on this CD so far. If all these guys stuff sounds like this then I would like to hear more.
6. The New Dress “Murderous Bugs With Giant Needle Knives” 6/10
This is another complete contrast from the punk that has dominated this CD so far. This sounds like one of those trendy bands. Very simple sound, which is based around just a single jangley guitar and female vocals. This is then added to with bv’s and a few extra bits of guitar and some percussion. It’s simple and rough round the edges. Sounds like it was recorded during a drunken jam session.
7. Fire When Ready “Who Do You Think We Are” 7/10
This is the first track that has sounded good from the second it started. This is yet again a quite simple song but the use of shared vocals that go from speaker to speaker and the vocal harmonies, make this a really good track. The music also sounds really good when they are not singing which means you are never left waiting for the vocals to come back in and are pleased when they do.
8. De La Hoya “Thathorates” 5/10
After 10 seconds of this song I am yet again unimpressed. This is yet again a bit of punk with a touch of scremo thrown in. These songs just seem to be average. None of these are bad songs but they none of them seem to have any sparkle or real excitement to them.
9. End Of The Year “Bracer” 4/10
I’m sorry to say this artist is yet again more average punk. This song never really gets going and then seems to end. Bit of a non-starter here. None of its bad just nothing special..
10. Marathon “Photosynthesis” 5/10
This is a little bit heavier, punk with a hardcore edge. So unsurprisingly there isn’t much difference here just more average music.
So judging from what I have heard all I can say is that I am disappointed with the lack of talent on this label. They seem to be adding to the sea of average bands being released at the moment. There is the odd bit of interesting music and the odd catchy melody but sadly it seems to be lost in amongst all the average stuff.
| 
Hassle Records - 2008 Sampler
| Reviews 
Red Leader Records - Sampler 2008
