"Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2" Various artists (Fat Wreck Chords)

Volume 2 of ‘Rock
Against Bush’ released
in time for election

When President Bush finally approaches the podium at the Republican National Convention later this week to accept his party's nomination to run for a second term in the White House, we should, as good Americans, bow our heads in thanks. ...

That's because, as Blake Schwarzenbach of Jawbreaker succinctly puts in the booklet of this timely compilation, "There has never been a better time to be artistically angry and full of love, if one can walk that uneasy line."

And thanks to Fat Mike's punk music label and punkvoter.com for putting out another "Rock Against Bush" volume that puts together the complete package of passionate sounds and video clips to gear up the kids to at least register to vote and make it known that "Four more years!" will not go unchallenged.

This second volume, more so than the first, includes more mainstream bands (Foo Fighters, Yellowcard and No Doubt in particular) offering rare or previously unreleased tracks into the mix. While you can hear the difference in slicker production values, there's no doubting the support these bands have in getting down with the cause.

And the focused fury can be heard particularly on contributions from Bad Religion ("Let Them Eat War"), Dropkick Murphys (the band's take on the 1919 Boston police strike on "We Got the Power"), Lagwagon ("Status Pools"), Bouncing Souls (a live version of "Born Free"), plus bracing stuff from Flogging Molly (the track AND video for "Drunken Lullabies"), Sleater-Kinney, Dillinger Four, Mad Caddies, the (International) Noise Conspiracy, Donots and Thought Riot.

Besides the music videos on the accompanying DVD, there's also a selection of political shorts, including excerpts from a BBC documentary on the 2000 voter fix in Florida; "Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War," from the makers of the Fox News exposŽ "Outfoxed"; and a doc of the eroding of civil liberties in the name of "national security."

Plus there's also a couple of great comedy bits, especially Will Ferrell's hysterical parody on Bush for the Web site America Coming Together and an inspired piece of lunacy from Patton Oswalt on how Bush's re-election will result in a glorious biblical apocalypse to revel in.

Say hallelujah! -- and don't forget to vote.