Take Action Volume 9 is a potpourri of pretty acoustic sets and interesting remixes. This year, Hopeless Records and Sub City Records have come together to make a lengthy compilation featuring popular bands, all in the name of charity. For the past few years, these two record companies have released a number of CD/DVD compilations “to encourage young people to make a positive impact on the world,” and ever since they started back in 1999, Sub City has raised millions.

This year, there’s no DVD (there’s two CDs), and instead of sticking with one genre for the entire collection, these gold-hearted record companies decided to spice things up with some punk pop, hardcore, and dance music — the gamut is wide my friends.

We The Kings start off the with an acoustic cover of the popular song “PSA” (by Jimmy Eat World). After that it’s an acoustic love-ballad galore. Orlando-based band There For Tomorrow covers their very own “Backbone” off of their sophomore album A Little Faster; The Friday Night Boys play a sweet-sounding song titled “Permanent Heartbreak.” Almost all of Disc One is an original acoustic, so if you’re into that (and I know a lot of people are, myself included) then you should give it a listen. If however, you’re the type of person that loves to get hyped up, Take Action Volume 9 has something for you too.

Electronic band 3OH!3 adds some spice to the compilation with their hit remix “Don’t Trust Me,” and Cobra Starship (one of the hottest dance bands right now) add their “Hot Mess” remix. MySpace sensation Lights is also featured (I seriously thought I was listening to Britney Spears for a second).

There are a few hardcore songs from such bands as Bring Me The Horizon and VersaEmerge, but most of the compilation is pop punk and dance, and the transitions into said songs are a bit rocky. It’s like mixing sweet lemonade with a chocolate shake, it will make your stomach hurt.

All bad transitions aside, Take Action is a great compilation with popular artists who actually cover their own material. Most of the bands featured are breaking into the industry right now while others are well-established (Taking Back Sunday, Cobra Starship). All in all, this is for a good cause and it’s not too expensive so if you have a few bucks left over, purchase it because we all need some variety.

Rating: 8/10

Take Action Volume 9 was released on February 9, 2010. Purchase it online via Hopeless Records. For more information visit takeactiontour.com.

Tracklist:

Disc 1

1. We The Kings – PSA
2. We The Kings – The Middle (Acoustic)
3. Mayday Parade – The Silence (Hurley Studio Acoustic)
4. There For Tomorrow – Backbone (Acoustic)
5. A Rocket To The Moon – Fool Everyone
6. The Ready Set – Drain Notes
7. We Are The In Crowd – Never Be What You Want
8. Every Avenue – Picture Perfect (featuring Tom Higgenson)
9. The Bigger Lights – Queen of Broken Hearts
10. This Providence – Keeping On Without You
11. The Friday Night Boys – Permanent Heartbreak (Acoustic)
12. Anarbor – Passion For Publication (Acoustic)
13. The Dangerous Summer – Surfaced (Acoustic)
14. Hit The Lights – Liars and Cheats
15. The Summer Set – Punch-Drunk Love (Acoustic)
16. The Swellers – Feet First (Acoustic)
17. Frank Turner – Rock and Roll Romance
18. Fake Problems – Mr. Rock and Roll*

Disc 2

1. 3OH!3 – Don’t Trust Me (Casey Bates Remix)
2. Cobra Starship – Hot Mess (Innerpartysystem Remix)
3. Let’s Get It – Maps (Joey Sturgis Remix)
4. The Secret Handshake – TGIF
5. Lights – Saviour (Colin Munroe’s Unsung Mix)
6. VersaEmerge – Whisperer (Brian Southall Remix)
7. Bring Me The Horizon – Sleep With One Eye Open (Tek One Remix)
8. August Burns Red – Indonesia (Alternate Mix)
9. EATMEWHILEIMHOT! – xXBurritoXx
10. I Set My Friends On Fire – Things That Rhyme With Orange
11. Taking Back Sunday – Swing (Live in London)
12. All Time Low – Poison
13. The Downtown Fiction – I Just Wanna Run
14. The Almost – Birmingham
15. Set Your Goals – The Lost Boys
16. Take Notice – Northward Winds Were Bound To Happen
17. Broadway Calls – Jump At Shadows