Parasites

Compost (2000)

Scott Heisel

The Parasites are pop punk, and are not afraid to hide it. They've been around for some time now, and they have paid their dues, in some people's eyes. So does this warrant a retrospective/B-sides CD, while the band is still alive and kicking? I think not. Material like this really slows the band down, in my opinion. The Parasites have put out some pretty good punk rock [I can't tell you how often I play my Boris the Sprinkler/Parasites 7"] and with this CD chock full of throwaway tracks, it seems to cheapen them. Yes, there are some catchy songs on here that probably deserved a spot on a full-length, but for every one of those, there are two that bore you. They even put on a Queers cover song ["Daydreaming"], which I didn't understand. They played it almost note for note, which seems like something a garage band just starting out would do, not an established act like the Parasites. The most interesting part of the whole thing were the liner notes, which gave a [very] comprehensive history on said band. I guess if you enjoy the Parasites, pick this up, it will act as an addendum to their music. Otherwise, pass on it and buy one of their full-lengths which you will enjoy much more.

[taken from A different kind of greatness webzine]