With America at the forefront of the alternative music charge, it's no surprise to find out that there are still many bands that go unnoticed by potential record labels and fans, and the UK Brand New Hero Records has set out to maintain one ongoing goal - to get some of America's upstarts recognised here. So one CD, four bands and twelve tracks later we are introduced to a wide variety of music styles from bands The silence, Army of Freshmen, Split Habit and Suburban Legends. With something for everyone on this CD, it will satisfy fans of Good Charlotte right through to the likes of Story of the Year and Less than Jake adequately.

Kicking off the CD is THE SILENCE. Originating from Long beach, CA the opening verse to 'Amalie' gives a deceiving mellow sound but this quickly changes by the second song, 'Orange'. With power screams resembling The Used, there is an obvious passion to make each song stand out from the next and all are fuelled by personal emotions. Orange is definitely the strongest track contributed to The Silence's segment on this CD. It's a perfect, upbeat energy driven taster to what else you can expect to hear from them in the future and with them playing everyday on this year's Anniversary Warped Tour they are definitely worth a look into!

Don't be quick to dismiss BNH's next act, ARMY OF FRESHMEN as another pop-punk band that play 'safe' feel good music. Having toured with acts such as Good charlotte and played alongside Radiohead and The Strokes this is what gives AOF one of their many elements of diversity. They have broken out of the normal pop-punk formula by adding two keyboards and the rap vocals of Chris Jay to the equation. The tracks (Get em up, Songs away from you and Road less travelled, all from the Freshmen's second album 'Beg, Borrow, Steal') can all be torn away from the norm and given a category of their own because of their totally different outlook on what a pop-punk song should sound like. AOF will certainly appeal to fans of Bowling for soup and Mest but don't pigeon hole them as another band jumping on the band wagon, at least not until you have heard what they have to offer, because you may get a pleasant surprise.

Split Habit's 'Ms Vandersandem' will have you clapping along before you can say, "Wow, casino chips and sunset strips rocks!" Appropriately placed on a nationwide tour of America in May alongside Allister and Hidden in Plain View, Split Habit are sure to extend their Chicago following. Mixing acoustics in with the hefty bass lines and racy guitar riffs of '$100 guarantee', it definitely adds another dimension to this track and leaves me hoping more tracks of this quality can be found on other releases.

So to top off CCASS some ska punk was required...and delivered. Ladies and gentlemen...the SUBURBAN LEGENDS.

Playing a mammoth 962 shows in 2002 and sharing the stage with ska front runners Reel Big Fish, it's clear that SL have a thriving determination to share their music with the rest of the world, and so they should. With songs such as "All the nights" having the qualifications to become a summertime anthem pumping from your car stereo because of its catchiness and jump around factor, it's time for some new ska bands to hit the scene these days and SL could be just what is needed.

Well, it's safe to say that BNH have really pulled this one out of the bag and for a wallet friendly £6 you cant really go wrong grabbing a copy and having a listen because there will be something you can relate to on this CD...I promise!

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