V/A - Buddyhead - Suicide Comp.

The 10th release from Buddyhead is a 2-disc compilation showcasing their label’s roster. One of the reasons it is a double album is because the boys at Buddyhead have included 10 (to coincide with their 10th release?) of their favorite prank calls made to many unsuspecting bands and managers. While some of these calls are quite amusing, most of them leave you feeling like maybe the guys think they are funnier than they really are. I can’t think of giving these more than one spin. But thus isn’t a comedy album, so lets talk about the music. Well, only a couple of the songs did I find truly great. Your Enemy’s Friends' “The One Condition,” complete with new wave keys, and Radio Vago’s post-punk “Shudder” start disc one off strong. Unfortunately this rocking level doesn’t continue throughout the whole double album. The low point comes from the Dillinger Escape Plan doing a cover of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell.” There are some rare tracks on the compilation like Mike D and “The Tick,” collectively known as The Latch Brothers, remixing the Murder City Devil’s “Press Gang” and At the Drive In’s “Rascuache” to some bizarre results. But I feel the rest of the album doesn’t pack a hell of a punch. It's not bad though when you consider that this is just Buddyhead’s 10th release and that most of the bands will probably mature(?) and improve along with them. [www.buddyhead.com]