3-Way Issue #2

The second in a series of three-way compilations designed to up the profile of the record label owned by Yellowcard guitarist Ben Harper Takeover Records 3 Way, Issue #2 collects three unreleased and/or acoustic tracks by three on-the-rise outfits. Austin's Near Miss shout-happy punk rock scorches on the emotive, powerful "Number 7," while the screaming, careening punk of "At the Seam" feels more maniacal. If the emotive, purging jam dubbed "Now Rectify" affirms this foursome has staying power, the three tracks by San Diego's Reeve Oliver are less over the top but in some ways more appealing. The indie rock roar of "Summer" glistens like an anthem for the season, and if the upbeat, melodic rockers that follow sound like the Get Up Kids by-the-numbers, a Get Up Kids fan can hardly complain. California's renowned pop/punkers the Matches round out the comp with an above-average slab of the usual, while acoustic renderings of tunes from 2004's Epitaph offering E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals are proficient but somehow lack the snotty charm of their electrified versions. Just the same, this is a three-way punk fans won't mind jumping into. ~ John D. Luerssen