Compulation Two

The time has come for yet another showcase of the best that North Carolina indie rock has to offer. Pox World Empire will soon be releasing the second of the Compulation serious, complete with anything from no-name bands to big-time Merge artists.

The original Compulation was the brainchild of Zeno Gill, frontman for local band The Sames and founder of Durham-based record label Pox World Empire. After seeing that North Carolina rock was often overlooked, he decided to take it upon himself to create something that shows just how much talent lies within its borders. Compulation Vol. 1 was so successful and well-received that Gill decided to gather up more talent from more places and began to create a follow-up compilation. And what came out is good.

The dilemma is that the album is just good. It's not amazing, and doesn't have the power or kick that the first one did. Bands like The Rosebuds and Des Ark are missing from the line-up, and it shows. However, The Torch Marauder and Evil Wiener's strangeness do make up somewhat for that hole, and the best tracks come from Shark Quest, Bellafea and Evil Wiener. Overall, Compulation Vol. 2 does get one thumb up, but at least it's a thumb well-deserved.