A-F Records “This Concerns Everyone” Album Review
I believe that record reviews are the collective response of the author’s objective opinion and taste on music in general, combined, however, with some undisputed facts. “This Concerns Everyone” is A-F Records’ latest compilation that will be officially released on November 18th and includes stripped down versions of original and cover songs by a slew of artists mostly within the punk/hardcore genre.
Out November 18, 2014
TRACK LIST
Chris Farren (Fake Problems) – Establishment Blues (Rodriguez)
Erica Freas (RVIVR) – Tiny Murders
Chris Conley (Saves the Day) – A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke)
Chris #2 (Anti Flag) – What Did You Learn In School Today (Pete Seeger)
PJ Bond – Dirty Hands
Anika Pyle (Chumped) – Ugly
Tom Morello (The Night Watchman) – House Gone Up in Flames
The Homeless Gospel Choir – Some People
Chris Stowe – Other People’s Guns
Chris Wollard & The Ship Thieves – Selected Scenes
Roger Harvey – What Are You Fighting For (Phil Ochs)
Shawna Potter and Brooks Harlan (War on Women) – Servilia
Tim McIlrath (Rise Against) – Civil War (Guns n’ Roses)
Justin Sane (Anti Flag) – I Ain’t Got No Home (Woody Guthrie)
Thomas from the Burning Land (Strike Anywhere) – The Deep State (Field Recording)
“This Concerns Everyone” is a brilliant title for a compilation. There’s a purpose behind releasing any kind of comp and with this one the purpose is dual and all in all very sociopolitical. On the one hand with a third of the proceeds going directly towards benefiting the Right to Heal Foundation, which is a joint effort between The Iraq Veterans against the War, Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq and the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq, the record label and the aforementioned organizations wish to broadcast the devastating and ongoing repercussions of the invasion of Iraq, while also focusing on different aspects of the damage. On the other hand the label feels the need to somehow express a broader frustration for the negative approach of the United States on many social and political issues to this day with an extended need to underline a general call for accountability and direct action. This concerns everyone.
Fake Problems’ Chris Farren is one of many artists on this compilation that chose to offer a cover song and in his case an old Sixto Rodriguez song called Establishment Blues. Carefully selected this song is a great opener both aesthetically and lyrically, as it represents almost entirely what is to follow.
Erica Freas of the amazing RVIVR is next with an acoustic rendition of Tiny Murders, followed by Saves the Day’s Chris Conley, who contributes a cover song of the legendary Sam Cooke, for many the true one king of soul music. It is difficult to surpass the original, but even so, this is my favorite song on the record.
Chris #2 offers another cover, namely Pete Seeger’s politically charged What Did You Learn in School Today. I love how most of the cover songs are by true American folk artists of the past, thus offering a small lesson on American music.
I had the pleasure of personally meeting PJ Bond this year and he is the coolest of persons. It comes as no surprise that I instantly love his contribution to “This Concerns Everyone” and I believe he is the closest thing to the folk singers of the American past, at least out of everyone featured on this comp; him and, yes, Tom Morello, who’s contribution – an acoustic rendition of one of his Night Watchman songs – is stunning lyrically.
The Homeless Gospel Choir and Chris Stowe offer two very different songs to the compilation, both very beautiful, especially the emotionally driven latter one. A-F records intended on making clear that the songs provided by anyone would be as simple and stripped down as possible. Anyone can make music and express themselves, with no studio time, some basic production and essentially one raw take. “It is simple for someone to speak their mind, it should be simple for anyone to relate and stand up for a change”, seems like the general message behind this compilation.
On most songs of “This Concerns Everyone” that raw one take is very evident and on a few, things could have worked out a little better. Chris Wollard’s (and the Ship Thieves) addition is one good example of a good song gone slightly wrong because of the absence of any kind of production. War on Women are a smashing punch to the face and I thank Propagandhi for bringing them to my attention in the first place. The acoustic performance of their brilliant song Servilia shines a totally different but still beautiful vibe, making it my second favorite song on this comp.
Seeing how things panned out for Guns n’ Roses I am now embarrassed to say that Civil War is as close to a masterpiece as they ever got, especially lyrically. Tim McIlrath (Rise Against) is a genius for choosing to cover it and, even though the acoustic outcome is not perfect, it is by far the most interesting song on “This Concerns Everyone”.
There is not one sane reason to not check this compilation out, let alone to openly support it. Every artist on “This Concerns Everyone” delivers, thus explaining why they made the final cut, it is a political resounding record (finally, for a change), there is a purpose behind the release and a lot to be learned in the process, whether musically or socio-politically. Very well done A-F Records.
About the Author
Erik Ghint Athens, Greece PWV role : Reviewer Erik was born and has always lived in Athens, Greece. Terrible place but good weather. Studied law and played music on the side, now is a part time lawyer and part time punk rocker. Split personalities are his thing. Still listens to punk rock after 20 years, loves discovering new bands and is nostalgic about punk rock of the nineties. Diss him about his reviews @ https://www.facebook.com/bandage.punkrock.3
Related Posts
State Champs Release Self-Titled Album Today →
Anthony Raneri (Bayside) Embarks on Solo Tour Today →
Louder Than Life Announces Slayer as 2025 Headliner →
