Various Artists

Greetings

Lobster Records

The vaults of California’s Lobster Records are stocked with talented, lesser-known rock acts perched on the edge of a mainstream breakthrough. With Greetings, a Lobster compilation, the potential of these eight bands is showcased to a national audience. And hopefully, people will take notice.

Getting things started with a heavy dose of full-on punk energy is Staring Back with “X-Out,” a previously unreleased track that strays far away from the pop-punk trend currently sweeping the scene. However, “Change of Heart” ventures into more melodic, catchy territory while still maintaining the same energy level. The style of Staring Back’s third track, “Joey,” hovers in the middle of the other songs, but proves nonetheless that Staring Back has a very attractive sound that will likely satiate a variety of tastes. With just two songs on the compilation, Illinois’ Park brings in a sprinkle of emo with “Clue Me In” and “Wreck Simple,” both more laid-back tracks.

Jacksonville’s Yellowcard contributed three songs for the compilation and prove that it is the strongest force in the Lobster arsenal. With super-sweet punk-pop, uniquely complimented with a violin, Yellowcard’s popularity could explode at any moment. From the band’s latest release, One For the Kids, comes “Drifting” and “A.W.O.L.” Previously unreleased by the quintet is an acoustic version of “Rough Draft,” which, unfortunately for them, sounds as though it jumped straight off of a Dashboard Confessional album. One of the other very promising acts on Lobster is Whippersnapper, hailing from Georgia and tossing “The Long Walk” and “Perfect World” into the musical melee.

Indie rockers Mock Orange feature some less in-your-face tunes for the record with “Brake Lights On,” “Window Shopping” and “You Know You Got It,” all fine pieces of music. Renewing the album’s energy is fast percussion and power guitar-reliant Buck Wild. Though the band’s first song “Tribute to the Mammal” is only 46 seconds long, its other offerings “The Letter” and “Cold Pizza” demonstrate its ability for crafting solid punk songs. Supplying just one song each for the mix, Joystick with “A Grand Band” and Jargon with an excerpt from “Sustenance” round out the Lobster lineup. Greetings, indeed succeeds in giving listeners a glimpse into the Lobster world. With an album filled with up-and-comers, the young Lobster Records itself stands to grow and prosper along with its signees.

Leah Weinberg

Related Links:
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