Now that Exit has been around for awhile, we are starting to get servicing from indie bands and labels. We do our best to review every CD that comes our way from individual bands, but compilations are always more difficult to deal with (at least, for me they are). After thinking about it for awhile, I have decided to unveil my new weapon for reviewing compilations--The Exitzine Super-turbo powered Compilomatic [TM]

The Compilomatic is my own handy-dandy system for rating each track on a compilation. The ratings range on a 1 to 5 scale (1 being the worst, 5 being the best) and look something like this . . .

1 -- Why did they bother to record this?
2 -- At least their Mom really digs it.
3 -- Not bad
4 -- Pretty good, makes me want to hear more from this band
5 -- Their Momma hates it, but everyone else thinks that it's the best thing since sliced bread.

(Warning! The Compilomatic is a dangerous tool in the hands of an amateur. Remember: I'm a professional. Don't try this at home.)

OK, before we give the Compilomatic its trial run, let me say a few things about this particular compilation as a whole. The Rage, vol 2.0 is a compilation album released at The Rage youth festival in Phoenix, Arizona. All but two of the bands are Arizona-based, and according to the info that the label sent us, most of the bands played at the festival. The label was nice enough to even send us a very interesting article on The Rage and the Christian punk scene in Arizona. (If this disk is any indication as to the strength of the underground scene in Arizona, I wanna move there!)

As far as the album itself, it is far and away better than most of the comps I have heard lately. While there are a few semi-lame tracks, overall the consistent quality of these artists is astounding. I am surprised that more of these bands aren't already signed.

This album is also very diverse. While the CD is strongest on its punk and rock offerings, there is also a sizeable chunk of ska, hardcore, hip-hop, and even cheesy 80's rock songs to round out the mix.

Here is a track-by-track rundown. I have listed the band, a genre description, and their Compilomatic rating. Enjoy!

1. Tragic Fate -- 80's butt rock -- (2.5)
2. Swell 26 -- sounds like Juliana Theory or maybe Pearl Jam -- (4.5)
3. Speck - pop/rock -- I have to point out the excellent lyrics on this track. A good example is the line "Mercy loves me as a whore." -- (4.5)
4. Spin -- late 80's rock -- (3.5)
5. Fine China -- indie rock -- (3.5)
6. Buckledown -- ska-core -- one of the best new ska bands I have heard recently -- (4.0)
7. Free Sample -- punk -- (3.5)
8. Say When -- pop/punk -- (3.5)
9. Mustard Seed Clan -- punk with some cool harmonies, reminds me of MxPx -- (3.5)
10. Dry Bone Kingdom -- ska -- reminds me of the Supertones' first album, before they abandoned the rudies) -- (4.0)
11. Soapbox -- poppy punk -- (3.5)
12. The Corbans -- modern rock -- (4.0)
13. Wish -- alternative rock -- (3.0)
14. Michelangelo and the Difference -- "epic rock" -- (3.5)
15. The Bittersweet Way -- Modern Rock -- (3.5)
16. Pilot -- rock/disco/funk -- (2.5)
17. Paradigm 70 -- hip hop -- (3.5)
18. DJ darryL & DJ c3po -- Electro/dance -- (4.0)
19. Scott Roman -- soft rock with some weird electric strings -- (3.5)
20. The Blameshare -- soft rock with disco influences -- (3.5)
21. Ryan Brown -- soft rock with very nice strings -- (4.0)