While the rearview mirror still carries lingering images of Fat Music Vol. III, a sorely disappointing collection which seemed to signify a stagnating label, all indications from Life in the Fat Lane suggest that the Fat Wreck juggernaut is triumphantly back on course. Eighteen tracks of mostly peppy- poppy punk mayhem (the exceptions will be discussed shortly) with little in the way of unimaginative duds, this compilation attests to a label that is not only surviving the ravishes of time, but is thriving in spite of them.

Many of the songs showcase bands which have been long established in the Fat Wreck catalog-- the likes of Lagwagon, No Use For A Name, Good Riddance, and NOFX (all of which make impressive contributions, incidentally)-- but perhaps more important and more telling are the selections offered by the new acts. Scene heroes Sick of It All and Avail both make aggressive contributions which demonstrate the value of the label's recent attempts to expand its sometimes- too- familiar musical terrain. The Swingin' Utters, in a moment of surprising ingenuity, offer us their equivalent of an Irish folk song, complete with mandolin guitars. Me First and the Gimme Gimme's prove, through their raging rendition of "My Favorite Things," that old- fogey songs just need a little distortion to help them out.

But most exciting are the unfamilars. Consumed, in "Twat Called Maurice," take one energized progression and use it to create a compelling song which transcends the limits of both repetition and silly subject matter. The Mad Caddies help us to believe, if only for one song, that novel possibilities still exist given the punk-ska formula. And the Ataris supply the type of song which makes one insufferably anxious to hear the remainder of their material lest other minutes go by with such a serious gap in life.

Only Tilt's "Old School Pig" is unlistenable to me, otherwise we have ourselves a fine collection indeed, a testament to a label that is finally overshadowing Epitaph Records as the focal point of important punk activity.

-Kevin Ruggeri