Children's Crusade, The - Get Awesome 10" IAR 002
The Children's Crusade recordings that make up Get Awesome are what originally inspired the start of It's Alive Records. This record has it all - clever lyrics, dual vocalists trading off snotty and smooth vocals, excellent percussions, simplistic guitar riffing aplenty, steady driving rhythms, and a variety of song subjects and musical styles. The best pop punk music is that which hooks you from the get go with its catchiness but keeps you coming back around again and again by offering something more with each listen. These songs have a lot more to offer than it might seem with the first listen - each song is its own little masterpiece, crafted rather than simply assembled. Get Awesome is a perfect example of minimalist music styling with maximum results.