PUNKEMON: Smalltime Records Punk & Ska Sampler
By Jacob Connor
A 22 track punk and ska sampler from Nelson's Smalltime Records, 'Punkemon' is a solid collection of greater and lesser known NZ acts and presents a consistent and good-looking package. The catchment seems skewed more toward the pop-punk and melodic end of the spectrum and this is suggested in the cutesy cartoon artwork. Opening proceedings, Mum's Dollar transcend their terrible name with a tuneful plea for emancipation in Let Me Go. Ever-reliable stalwarts Sommerset and The Managers weigh in with assured and competent cuts and there are interesting contributions from This Night Creeps and 4ManBob. The subject matter is surprisingly light and non-politicised, apart from The Managers' anti-bloodsport rave Killing En Masse. Elsewhere the concerns of today's youth range from the laughably non-specific (Goodnight Nurse's Sick of It) to mundane relationship blues (Not Quite Right's Me & Her). The sound quality is clear throughout and apart from the dearth of any of the ideological stance that the original wave of punk was built upon, the bands included in the selection fare well. Foamy Ed offers a welcome respite from the male dominated vocal terrain at the three-quarter mark. Plenty of pace and energy and a credible addition to the Smalltime catalogue.
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