If you think that what is thrown out on the market and called "rock and roll" is so much commercialized baby formula, you undoubtedly started following our look at the multi-disc series A Fistful Of Rock N' Roll last week. After devouring the first volume, I couldn't wait to check out the second installment in this series.

In a way, A Fistful Of Rock N' Roll Volume 2 is immediately working at a disadvantage. How do you follow up such a powerful compilation? While this set is a little bit of a letdown, it is by no means a failure, and still features some incredible performances.

Like the first set, this new volume features 15 bands who may never become number one on any mainstream radio station's charts, but who truly get off on playing rock music for its own sake. You can still hear that absolute joy in performances like those of Snake Charmers ("Queen Fuck"), Dead Man's Choir ("Domestic Violence") and Haunted Head ("Screaming At You").

Like the first set, A Fistful Of Rock N' Roll Volume 2 is a combination of punk/metal, not unlike the early days of Black Flag, Husker Du or even Nirvana. While such a combination might scare off some people who claim to love rock music, anyone who has even occasionally been into bands like those named will undoubtedly find something to enjoy on this disc.

That said, there is a little bit of the magic missing on this disc. Volume 1 was a disc you could appreciate from start to finish, even on the first listen; Volume 2 isn't quite as accessible, taking the listener a little more time to warm up to. While repeat listens do help to bring out the joys of bands like Dexateens ("Teenagers Piss Off") and Jones Crusher ("Mamasita"), they regrettably don't help bands like Streetwalkin' Cheetahs ("Motor City Rock N' Roll") or Chickenhawks ("Heart Throb Man").

Fortunately, this disc has many more hits than it does misses, and while it's not quite on the same level as the first collection, A Fistful Of Rock N' Roll Volume 2 is still a good follow-up companion. Here's looking forward to the third disc in the set... which we'll talk about next week.

Rating: B+

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