Streetpunk Worldwide highlights the punk-rock rosters of three record labels from around the globe: Street Anthem Records (USA), Rebellion Records (Holland) and Bandworm Records (Germany). Perhaps it's merely indicative of punk's often simplistic DIY aesthetic, but very few of the featured tracks here betray any hint of their respective cultural milieux (not that I was expecting polka-punk or clog-stomps -- just some slight variations). This disappointment notwithstanding, the compilation showcases a number of exciting bands, their punk rock attitude and aptitude.

Shifting between Oi!, hardcore, psychobilly and every other sub-genre currently covered by the "punk" umbrella, Streetpunk Worldwide will hold your interest throughout. Highlights include Dirty Water's ska-based "It Start's With You", the slacker-punk of Badlands' "Heroes", Hateful's Clash-inspired "Green Thing", the Oi!/psychobilly sing-along of Main Street Saints' "Io Io" and Vigilantes' sneering, synth-based "Soul Control III". A number of Bandworm Records' German acts stand out simply for the fact that their lyrics are sung/spoken in German -- one country's quotidian is another country's novelty. Vogelfrei ("Heute Nacht") and Sperrzone ("J.W.D.") spit their lyrics in a tongue that seems custom-made for hardcore/Oi! punk -- it's all force and fury.

Despite lacking the musical idiosyncrasy that you might expect from an international punk compilation, Streetpunk Worldwide is a strong introduction to some of the world's most exciting up-and-coming punk bands.