Feeling a sense of déjà vu? Fearless Records’ latest offering, Punk Goes Pop Volume 3, simply begs music aficionados to question the validity of having yet another compilation album.

Banking on a tried and tested formula, the album sets the stage for lesser known acts, allowing them the opportunity to put their own spin on chart toppers.

One wonders how this album might carry itself as many of its 9 predecessors have showcased an array of hits-and-misses, with several songs proving to be crowd-pleasers of their own, giving familiar tunes new twists, while others prove to be uninspired carbon copies of the originals.

The album debuted at a respectable 26 on the Billboard Top 200, but this is a clear drop from the previous one which debuted at 11 places above.

Undoubtedly, Punk Goes Pop Volume 3 gives listeners the impression that creativity is sorely lacking in the majority of the song list.

Mayday Parade’s and version of “In My Head” and This Century’s take on “Paper Planes” show an obsession with being true to the originals by religiously adhering to the exact arrangements of the song.

This recurrent theme is best shown in Breathe Carolina’s attempt at the dance-y Jay Sean anthem, “Down”, also proves to be a disappointment. Over-produced, the song from the Electronic Rock Duo features vocalist David Schmitt’s heavily auto-tuned voice which sadly reminds all of us of the music industry’s heavy and pathetic reliance on technology. The trend points to a shift in the kind of melodies listeners expect these days; a hybrid of pop influenced by electronic synthesizers.

Despite the glaring hiccups, there are certainly a few gems, giving the album some marketability.

Although it would be stretching it to say, as the Punk Goes… official Myspacepage, boldly proclaims this latest addition as the “freshest”, and “most vibrant-sounding” yet.

In putting out such a descriptor, the record label probably had Of Mice & Men in mind. OM&M retains the playfulness of pop in “Blame it” while introducing heavy riffing, giving the song a good dosage of edginess.

5-piece metalcore outfit, Miss May I provides another noteworthy reason to pick up the album.  Vocalist Levi Benton’s eerie, yet addictive screams set the tone of “Run This Town”. Benton’s breathy growls are reminiscent of his more popular counterparts, such as Parkway Drive’s Winston McCall. What makes his track so listenable is the fact that he braces listeners for an epic climax that he fully delivers. Once the song progresses to the instrumentals, you know you’re in for a boisterous time.

All in all, don’t surprised if you find yourself singing along to the infectious lyrics of the pop classics.  Sadly though, this 10th edition of the Punk Goes… series is a textbook case of how even old dogs taught new tricks won’t survive severe stagnation.

Artist: Various Artists
Album: Punk Goes Pop Volume 3
Rating: ★★✩✩✩

Language: English
Genre: Post Hardcore
Release Date: 2 November 2010

Track list:

  1. Breathe Carolina – “Down” (originally recorded by Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne)

2. Woe, Is Me – “Hot ‘N Cold” (originally recorded by Katy Perry)

3. Artist Vs Poet – “Bad Romance” (originally recorded by Lady GaGa)

4. Mayday Parade – “In My Head” (originally recorded by Jason Derülo)

5. Asking Alexandria – “Right Now (Na Na Na)” (originally recorded by Akon)

6. This Century – “Paper Planes” (originally recorded by M.I.A.)

7. The Word Alive – “Heartless” (originally recorded by Kanye West)

8. Family Force 5 – “Bulletproof” (originally recorded by La Roux)

9. Of Mice & Men – “Blame It” (originally recorded by Jamie Foxx ft. T-Pain)

10. Miss May I – “Run This Town” (originally recorded by Jay-Z ft. Kanye West and Rihanna)

11. The Ready Set – “Airplanes” (originally recorded by B.o.B ft. Hayley Williams)

12. Cute Is What We Aim For – “Dead And Gone” (originally recorded by T.I. ft. Justin Timberlake)

13. Sparks The Rescue – “Need You Now” (originally recorded by Lady Antebellum)

14. We Came As Romans – “My Love” (originally recorded by Justin Timberlake ft. T.I.)