Another Year on the Streets Vol. 2 - Vagrant Records Compilation (2001)This record was definitely a Zia Records (40th and Thunderbird) find during one of our many trips there. As I recall, it only cost about $5, which is probably as much as I had (although I made serious bank babysitting) I was thinking about this last night, how it seems sort of self serving to want to brand your record label all over your artists, when if anything, we should be the silent wizards of our Oz in these cases. There are very few labels that I can say I'd trust by their roster alone, which isn't really a bad thing. So many labels are great about having a diverse and comprehensive list of artists, so there's no way to assume that I would love Columbia record's Avett Brothers just because I love Bob Dylan (although I do). There is something about a certain built in legacy, but I feel the goal of a label is to adapt and try new things.
However, as I was growing up, there were definitely the labels I always trusted. Lookout!, Drive Thru, Sub Pop and the subject of the next album, Vagrant Records. This was a 22-track disc that had everything from Dashboard Confessional to Alkaline Trio to Saves the Day. At the time, i was really into Saves the Day, but I honestly can't remember if I already knew Dashboard, etc.
At any rate, the tracklisting out of all of the Vagrant comps is SO impressive, and doesn't fall victim to the curse of mish mashing different artists. It feels like they really took the effort in sequencing the record to keep you active and interested in some of the other bands inbetween the ones you already loved.
The standout tracks for me were Sweet Marie by The Anniversary, Ups and Downs by Saves the Day, the original acoustic version of Hands Down by Dashboard Confessional, Alone by Rocket from the Crypt and Hell Yes by Alkalkine Trio. I feel like the comp reflects sort of the last gasp of the late 90's, early 00's straight up punk rock bands with some Face to Face and Viva Death curve balls. You started to feel the shift to either really melodic punk or straight up girly emo (I'm looking at you, Chris Carraba)
I ended up buying the other Vagrant comps, but none of them held up to this one (although Saves the Day "Sell My Old Clothes, I'm Off to Heaven" is on Vol 1, and probably my favorite of all their songs) I think there's something to be said that the Audio Learning Center song "Favorite" is featured, and sets the tone for me discovering some of my favorite bands.
Track Listing :
| 1 | Hot Rod Circuit - The Pharmacist | ||
| 2 | Audio Learning Center - Favorite | ||
| 3 | Saves the Day - Ups & Downs | ||
| 4 | Dashboard Confessional - Hands Down | ||
| 5 | The New Amsterdams - Picture in the Paper | ||
| 6 | The Anniversary - Sweet Marie | ||
| 7 | Hey Mercedes - Weekend Starts on Wednesday | ||
| 8 | Alkaline Trio - Hell Yes | ||
| 9 | Face to Face - Bill of Goods | ||
| 10 | No Motiv - Give Me Strength | ||
| 11 | The Get Up Kids - Central Standard Time | ||
| 12 | Rocket From the Crypt - Alone | ||
| 13 | Viva Death - Trust Me | ||
| 14 | Hot Rod Circuit - Radiation Suit | ||
| 15 | Audio Learning Center - The Shell | ||
| 16 | Hey Mercedes - Everybody's Working for the Weak | ||
| 17 | Dashboard Confessional - Screaming Infidelities | ||
| 18 | Saves the Day - Nightengale | ||
| 19 | No Motiv - New Beginnings | ||
| 20 | Face to Face - A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing | ||
| 21 | Alkaline Trio - Metro | ||
| 22 | The Get Up Kids - New Found Mass (2000) |
MUST listen to track [Sweet Marie - The Anniversary]:
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