By Alex Felsinger
For the latest installment of Fearless Records’ noble quest to release the worst-themed cover-song compilations ever, they’ve truly one-upped themselves with the horrendously misnamed Punk Goes Crunk. It should have been called Popular Rock Goes Mainstream Rap, but, of course, that doesn’t have a nice ring to it. While the definition of punk has become so egregiously convoluted that some may claim that New Found Glory and Hot Rod Circuit are actually punk, no one can dispute that Will Smith’s Men in Black theme song is not crunk by any means. Nor is 2pac, Notorious B.I.G., the Roots, Snoop Dogg, or any of the other artists unfortunate enough to have their hits covered on this disc.
At first, the idea is kind of funny – I mean, it does rhyme. Beyond that, however, it’s bad. The first track, which happens to be the only actual cover of a crunk song, highlights the Bay Area’s own Set Your Goals covering Lil Jon‘s “Put Yo Hood Up.” Like most songs on the compilation, the band doesn’t try to give the song any kind of punk or pop-punk makeover, but rather takes the opportunity to try their own hand at rapping. With the help of a redundant chorus sung by what sounds like Yoda, the tune sets the overall tone for the collection.
The comp has a few somewhat interesting tracks, including Say Anything’s rendition of Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s “Got Yo Money,” which is good for a couple laughs. But it’s clear by the end that humanity has already endured enough experimentation between rock and rap (i.e., ahem, Limp Bizkit) and at some point, the genres need to go back to their respective corners. Frankly, I thought they already had. Some of these tracks were originally intended for release on Immortal Records‘ Yo! Indie Rock Raps compilation, but they canned the concept. Fearless should have taken note.
Perhaps recognizing that no one would ever put their own money towards purchasing Punk Goes Crunk, the label has put the entire release up online to hear for free. Lucky you.
WARPED TOUR
With most groups featured on Punk Goes Crunk
June 21, 11 a.m., $33
Pier 30/32, SF
(415) 421-TIXS