Warped Tour 2007 Compilation CD

This two-disc companion piece to the 2007 round of the venerable Vans-sponsored Warped Tour offers up an intriguingly eclectic assemblage of artists. Highlights of the 50-track collection include the raucous "Requiem for Dissent" by the veteran punk-pop act Bad Religion and "The Arms of Sorrow," a dramatic number by the metalcore group Killswitch Engage, which provide a nice contrast to the set's lighter fare, represented most notably by Meg & Dia's sensitive "Monster."
America's longest-running touring festival brings forth another double-disc collection of high-octane punk, screamo, and emo for the saggy pants, chain wallet, and mesh hat-wearing skater kids with Warped Tour: 2007 Compilation. The typical batch of Gen-Next pop-punk is included (Tokyo Rose, Smoke or Fire, Alkaline Trio), as are some punk veterans who have been around longer than the festival (Bad Religion, the Casualties). But the best additions to the list are the most unexpected -- the heavy rockin', Latin-tinged, accordion-filled Gypsy cabaret of Gogol Bordello; the prog metal guitar wailing of the Human Abstract; and the horn-infused ska of the Toasters. These styles fit the X-Gamer culture perfectly with their furious tempos and burning energy, and the collection does a nice job featuring the wide variety of music from the festival (with the exception of hip-hop). There are some awkward transitions, like when the first disc switches from the heavy-as-hell As I Lay Dying to a sappy emo ballad by Cute Is What We Aim For, but with a deep playlist of 50 songs, the package is ultimately a great value, and makes for a solid, adrenaline-pumping mix for skaters to grind trucks, shred some pools, and McTwist and shout. ~ Jason Lymangrover