CHANGE Various Artists (Hot Topic/Hopeless Records/Sub City) Review by Jeff Maki Buy here

Hopeless Records, Sub City and Hot Topic present Change, a compilation featuring 21 songs and 17 videos from hardcore and metal’s biggest names. Before diving into the content, it is important to note that this release benefits an excellent cause. Five percent of the suggested retail price ($9.99 at Hot Topic) is being donated to The Hot Topic Foundation. The official site states: “The Hot Topic Foundation aims to support programs and organizations that specifically focus on encouraging and educating youth in music, creative writing, painting, photography, filmmaking and more.” Five percent may seem on the low end, but at least you know someone is doing something to enhance the culture and artistic values of our youth.

For instance, when I was in grade school, our music program was pathetic. Music class consisted of our class watching old musicals (Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, etc.) exclusively and no other involvement musically. I understand this was only music class and not band, but that was even a bigger joke. Music has been my passion since I can remember, but our so-called band was the laughing stock of the school and were habitually mocked throughout my years there. And with good cause; they were horrible. Had things been different, perhaps I would have taken up an instrument. The sad state of affairs left me with no desire to do so. And as far as any other programs involving the arts, I had little, if any, idea they even existed, within the school system or outside of it.

I think I ended up all right and I'm obviously involved with music in my life, but what if this was, and still is, the case in schools? If so, it's very sad. What do you think kids do when there are no extracurricular activities that excite them? When there are poor school activities and a lack of programs preventing kids from doing what they love? Maybe they end up in prison after a life on the streets. Or worst case scenario: they are subjected to MTV, never hear any music or see one video on that pathetic channel and grow up uneducated about music. Well enough rambling. I had to get that off my chest and let my appreciation be known to the Hot Topic Foundation and any other similar programs.

So I guess you're wondering if there's anything good on Change. For starters, you can't beat the price of $9.99 for a CD/DVD set. For those wondering, the DVD tracklist is different from the CD's. Change brings together some of the best new rock acts like As I Lay Dying, Chiodos, Every Time I Die, Job for a Cowboy, Poison the Well, Aiden and more. There's quite a mixture of artists representing multiple genres, ranging from punk to death metal. Trendy? Maybe. Some may say that a lot of this music is what you'd come to expect from the “Hot Topic crowd.” Not all of it is good, but I discovered some cool bands through this compilation. Silverstein's “If You Could See Into My Soul,” “Nocturne” by The Human Abstract and the hardcore-metal stomper “Boneyards” from Parkway Drive all grab your immediate attention, while the heavier end of the spectrum is here with “Embedded” from up-and-coming death metallers Job for a Cowboy and top-notch metalcore from As I Lay Dying (“Nothing Left”) and August Burns Red (“Composure”). Most of the bands already have had scattered success or are on the verge of breaththroughs. The DVD includes videos from The Chariot, Converge, HORSE the Band, Boys Night Out and more. This is easily a bonus for the small retail price. The vids aren't anything special, but they get the job done. Plus, where else can you see videos these days?

AS I LAY DYING

When all is said and done, Change is a solid compilation for a good cause. There's nothing earth-shattering or entirely unexpected here. But the compilation offers fans of punk, hardcore and metal a great way to discover some new talent, and at $9.99, it should be a no-brainer.

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