Post Mortem Anthem is Bluetip's compilation of five unreleased songs and five previously released songs. The ten tracks span from different sessions dating from 1995 to 1999. The recordings vary in quality but the overall production is pretty strong. The album provides an accurate example of the band's steady progression as one of the staples in "DC sound" rock and roll (if I must attempt to categorize). Many of the songs on this record were recorded and produced by J. Robbins (Burning Airlines), who produced their last full length "Polymer"(also on Dischord, which absolutely rocked!!). The songs are all consistent with familiar Bluetip personality: intricate guitar licks, driving beats, off-time rhythm, heavy tone, and rock and roll vocals with lively character and vocal strength un-matched by most other bands within the same genre.

Overall, the album is very solid. However, with nothing dating later than 1999 (where Bluetip really took off in my opinion), it does fall a little short of their most recent song writing efforts, which is a high standard to begin with. The strongest tracks are the youngest ones, especially "Spooky" (recorded in 98),"Newport" (in 98 as well), and Japan (97), which all display the band's unique ability to make heavy rock and roll dissonance sound ultra-catchy. I must admit though, that the oldest song on the album "Ephadrephine" does also stand out, which is the hardest on the album, and rocks out in an almost Misfits kind of way.

For Bluetip fans, Post Mortem Anthem is a fantastic collection completer (with a 16 panel booklet complete with pictures and commentary from vocalist Jason Farrel I might add), but if the band has not yet found its way into your shopping cart before, Polymer is recommended.

Bluetip can also usually be heard on Bluetorch TV.

-----kory