Punk Goes Pop: For Those Who Don't Want to Admit They Actually Like the Originals

Okay, I'll admit.  Even though I love punk and hardcore music, I can't help but listen to the radio sometimes and somewhat enjoy the music (or what's considered music nowadays) on there.  I shock people with my knowledge of lyrics when we go to bars.

But onto other things, a second volume of Punk Goes Pop will be released March 10.  It features some recent hits as well as some from a few years ago.  For all those punk kids who are too ashamed to listen to those disgustingly catchy songs on the radio, this one's for you.

The album features bands such as Bayside, Four Year Strong (from Worcester!), A Static Lullaby, Chiodos, A Day to Remember and a few more.  Some of the covers are well-done while others I can do without.  Some songs are just too obnoxious and sound worse than the original (who thought I'd ever be saying that?).  The version of "When I Grow Up" that Mayday Parade did is a good example of that.

The perks?  A breakdown with some raspy, screaming vocals during a Britney Spears song.  August Burns Red puts a twist on "Baby One More Time" that I could never imagine.  There are a few other songs that I really like on the album.

I think one of the most important things about this album is that it breaks down the Berlin Wall-esque boundary that exists between pop music and the realm of punk and hardcore.  So many people, especially listeners, seem to not want to explore the other music that is available to them.  With this album, it almost tricks people to listening to it.  What?  You like this band?  What if we conceal a pop song into our music?  Would you still like us?  People still eat it up, which might be a step in the right direction.