Various Artists - Punk Goes 80s

It sounds like such a fun little project, putting saccharin-sweet pop hits from the 80s through the punk wringer and seeing what comes out. Sadly, many of the bands tapped to participate in this cross-genre enterprise either stick too closely to the original (Brazil’s cover of “Wrapped Around Your Finger” is downright dull, Motion City Soundtrack’s version of “Pop Song 89” has no sizzle) or desecrate their memory entirely (the Sugarcult’s “I Melt with You” is more lukewarm than the Modern English cut, Gatsbys American Dream drags the once up-tempo “Just Like Heaven” into a decidedly lethargic hell). Other bands elected to take some liberties with their historical charges and came away with some imaginative new compositions. Emery gets the nod for best gender swapping vocals on “Holding Out for a Hero,” scoring major bonus points by dropping the unexpected primal scream therapy session into the bridge. Halifax is the undisputed champion for best new arrangement with their amped-up version of Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up,” infusing the somewhat jazzy tune with just the right amount of angst and aggression to get a mosh pit rolling. The Early November takes the “Power of Love,” in the opposite direction, slowing the pop ballad down with a mellow acoustic treatment that gives the syrupy lyrics a greater opportunity to shine. Not sure if it’s Kelvin Cruz or Jeff Harber on the lead vocals of A Thorn for Every Heart’s re-interpretation of “Dead Man’s Party,” but whoever it is does a spot on impression of Danny Elfman’s trademark falsetto while the rest of ATFEH nails Oingo Boingo’s frenetic style. But be warned: Just a single listen of Hidden View’s updated “I Ran” may unravel the years of de-programming you underwent to purge your mind of the haunting sounds of yesteryear. [www.punkgoes80s.com]