Various Artists – The Songs Of Tony Sly: A Tribute

The biggest names in punkrock come together on this tribute for the late Tony Sly, frontman of No Use For A Name. And when I say the biggest names I’m not kidding around except for Green Day (if you still consider them punk) and Rancid you do get songs by Bad Religion, NOFX, Anti-Flag, Simple Plan, Yellowcard, Alkaline Trio, Strung Out etc. There are also more unusual contributions for example by Frank Turner and The Gaslight Anthem and less big names like Mad Caddies and Get Dead.

Compilations like this usually can go two ways. You either have a pretty cheap greatest hits compilation of bands trying to sound exactly like the original, or you have the more inspired compilation on which familiar songs sound nothing like the original. The Songs Of Tony Sly is a mixed bag. Bands like Bad Religion, Strung Out and Lagwagon always had lots of things in common with No Use For A Name, therefore it’s no surprise that their renditions don’t sound all that different. It’s opening track ‘Biggest Lie’ by Karina Denike that will give you goosebumps. Her stripped down version makes a much bigger impact than most of the generic punk songs however good they are. Frank Turner goes for a similar approach but fails miserably.

Snuff also take a whole other approach, giving their version of No Use For A Name classic ‘On The Outside’ a whole new twist.

Alkaline Trio also manage to give ‘Straigh From The Jacket’ an edgy sound.

The Songs Of Tony Sly: A Tribute features 33 songs and makes you once again realize that with the death of Tony Sly the punkrock scene lost one great musician. As an epitaph this compilation is more than well deserved. All proceeds of the sale of this record will go to Tony’s family. Just another reason to get yourself a copy.

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