For a while,
Little Steven Van Zandt was determined to show how eclectic he could get within the boundaries of a garage rock compilation on his
Coolest Songs in the World series, but with
Vol. 8 he seems to be reeling himself in a bit, and though this isn't as adventurous as some of the installments that preceded it, the result is a tighter and more coherent collection that rocks with high-kicking energy from front to back. It's also less star-studded than the last couple volumes, though
David Bowie does pop up with a Merseybeat-influenced ballad from the album
Reality, and there's an actual
Beatle on board, even if it is Pete Best (and "Come with Me" tries harder to sound like
the Fab Four than anything
Paul McCartney has released in years). But for the most part, this is a set of tough, hard-rocking tunes fused with glorious pop hooks, and there are plenty of winners on board.
The Cute Lepers sound like the snottiest power pop band on Earth on "Terminal Boredom,"
Man Raze throw a touch of glam into the mix (thanks to the participation of
Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen) with "Turn It Up,"
the Krayolas bring Tex-Mex rock & roll back from the grave with some help from
Augie Meyers on "Catherine,"
the Downbeat 5 rev up the girl group chestnut "Dum Dum Ditty" to fine effect,
the Love Me Nots sound tough and grimy as all get out on "Give Em What They Want," and
the Night Marchers (featuring
John Reis of
Rocket from the Crypt) lay it out lean and powerful with "Jump in the Fire." If you like garage rock or hooky punk at all, there's something on
The Coolest Songs in the World, Vol. 8 that you're bound to like, and it's midline priced, so what's stopping you? Support the scene! ~ Mark Deming