Chicago has been known for its music. From early blues and jazz to the Smashing Pumpkins and beyond, Chicago has a foot-hold on the music scene. Chicago’s punk rock scene is no different. Stemming from early stockyards, railways, airports, and the shipping idustry, Chicago is notorious for having a blue-collar work ethic.

Billy Spunke, former Blue Meanies singer, and vice president of Thick Records, wanted to bring that work ethic to Chicago’s punk scene. “I hoped to draw a parallel between Chicago’s industry and the city’s underground music, not only on CD, but also by using photos and video images,” Spunke said. With that in mind, Spunke set out to get the bands he thought best showed this blue-collar work ethic in their music.

Spunke created a recording sudio in an old oil blending factory on Chicago’s South Side. Nineteen previously unreleased songs from some of Chicago’s hardest working bands, were recorded in 15 days.

Rise Against, with former members of Baxter and 88 Fingers Louie, is the first track on the compilation. This is not a one of the group’s better songs.

Haymarket Riot comes next with “Grand Canyon.” This is a band you have to see live to fully appreciate.

Next is Alkaline Trio, which has former members of Tuesday, Slapstick, and Boxcar. The band has moved away from what they used to be about and play. The group hasn’t done anything new or better since its album “Goddamnit” in 1998, and this song continues along those lines.

In the cleanup position, Duvall has former members of Smoking Popes and Slapstick. If you liked the Smoking Popes, this song and band are along those lines. This is definitely one of the better songs on the compilation.

The Arrivals, with members formally enrolled here at Eastern, rock through “Pangea.” This band is better live than this track leads one to believe.

With “Where are you going, where have you been” the Lawrence Arms, with members in such bands as the Broadways, Tricky Dick, Slapstick, and Baxter, sound decent. This song continues along with songs on the “Apathy and Exhaustion” album. This album and song has digressed from what made them popular with “Ghost Stories.”

The Ghost is next with “They Came to See You.” This band has played at Friends, and doesn’t really strike a nerve with me. Another below average song on an alleged “great” compilation.

The Owls step up in the number nine spot with “We are the Owls.” Yes they are. This Jade Tree band includes Tim Kinsella of Cap ‘n Jazz and Joan of Arc fame. The band and song are along the same lines of a laid back Cap ‘n Jazz. Think of a less experimental Joan of Arc. Keep trying Tim.

Tom Daily crawls through “Uncool is What You Make It.” The song is just that – uncool. This song could have been left off and made the compilation much better.

The Tossers, who have played here, are in the 11 spot with “Teehan’s.” If you like the Tossers live show or other material, this is along those lines and it’s highly recommended.

Plain White T’s jam through “Bruises.” This is another throw away song. The track is nothing to write home about.

The Detachment Kit screams through “Spycrash,” and it’s a forgetable song. Which is promptly what I did after listening to it.

The Reputation, with Elizabeth Elmore of Sarge fame, tear through “Some Senseless Day.” This is definitely a great song on this compilation. I found myself putting this song on repeat and listening to it four or five times.

Local H climbs into the 15 spot with “Mellowed.” This song is very mellow and not too exciting. I never really heard anything positive about these guys and this song helps that case.

Check Engine, with “Mr. Beer” is an interesting song. An interesting rock jazz song with a piercing saxaphone. It is a positive song with a catchy beat.

Bitchy, with former Blue Meanies members, rocks through “Motherf**king Saturday.” This is a below average song yet again. There seems to be a theme of subpar songs throughout the compilation.

The Matics rock the listener with “R101.” This is a song I found myself nodding my head to. It has a catchy guitar riff and is a good song for this band.

Robert Nanna ends the comp with “Lost My Lights” which serves as a happy ending to a below average comp. The drums accompany the acoustic guitar of Nanna’s wonderfully.

Sorry Billy Spunke, this so-called blue collar compilation has way too many throw away tracks to even be considered an average compilation. Better luck next time.

The record release show for this compilation will be Feb. 14 at Metro in Chicago.