various artists - It Smells Like Spring (Intensive Scare, 1997)

Arguably the best compilation released in 1997. Twenty-eight bands from locales as near as Norfolk and as distant as Slovenia. Best song award goes to Jakkpot ("Safety Blades And Razor Pins") -- with an early Electric Frankenstein-ish anthemic style and a sing-along chorus that reads something like (no lyrics provided), "Your life/You choose/You end up drunk off your ass." Electric Frankenstein themselves make an appearance with "Back At You" -- good song, but it's readily available on several EF offerings. An obscure tune like their Crime or Dictators cover would've been a better choice. Tracks from old favorites like the Steel Miners (who have the best title -- "Are You Fucking The Girl Of My Dreams?" and let drummer Max have a vocal turn), The Pleasure Fuckers trying to stay out of too much trouble with "Misdemeanor," The Candy Snatchers' "Treda Douche" (now I know what the hell that song's called) and The Loudmouths' "Dirty Mouth" (on par with their album material). "New" faces such as Suicide King (wildly entertaining when I saw them in October), The Prissteens (another good live act -- three "babes" and an ex-Devil Dog behind the kit), ADZ (loosely, the punk 'n' roll division of the Adolescents) and The Hellacopters (same plan of attack as The Nomads, but they're heavier) make this a first-rate LP.