I read a review of Radiohead’s latest where the writer claimed, "This album is as elegant and beautifully prepared as a seven-course meal." Hey, I liked it too but that may be a little much. Let me steal his metaphor though. If Radiohead is a fancy-schmanzty dinner then Lookout! Freakout is a satisfying, guilt-ridden fast-food fest. Song after song piles up like a dinner of burger and fries and each bite is better than the next, light on the ketchup but heavy on the guitar.
Lookout! Freakout is the latest compilation from the bands over at Lookout! Records- a 24 song CD featuring the semi-legendary Mr. T. Experience, newcomers American Steel and many more. Coming from the "wrong" (east) side of the San Francisco Bay, The Mr. T. Experience kick off the CD with a slacker’s anthem, it made me want to cut out from work, "Tomorrow is a Harsh Mistress." Fronted by the veteran punk-rocker Dr. Frank, MTE sets the tone with lyrics like, "I’m what you’d might call the once and future nothing at all." My kind of start.
The second song is the pedestrian, "Hook it Up" by the Donnas but it too serves it purpose by highlighting just how good the first and third tracks are on this compilation. Track number three, "Carry On" by Common Rider is one of those rare songs that make you sit back and go, "hmmm, I like this." And no wonder, Common Rider is led by singer/songwriter Jesse Michaels of Operation Ivy, one of the bands that influenced the American Punk Renaissance of the 90’s. OpIvy’s alumni went on to form Rancid and led Green Day to cover one of their songs. Michaels is back in the music scene after a short stint as a Buddhist monk (in true California fashion) and his lyrics are as catchy and refreshing as ever.
Lookout! Freakout also features songs by the Groovie Ghoulies, Citizen Fish and the Lillingtons among others. They are all worth a listen but a definite standout is the newcomer, American Steel, whose "Got a Backbeat" is a throwback to something from 'London Calling' era Clash. This song along with MTE and Common Rider are all good enough for me to want to go out and pick up the full releases. The rest of the songs are better than average compilation material, a superior fast food if you will. Also, the price of this CD is a steal-at 4 US dollars it’s about the same price as a Big Mac meal and I can almost guarantee that you will remember this CD longer than that burger.

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