When you think of porn, the good people at Cargo Music want make sure that you think of fifth-generation punk rock from the late '90s, if the compilation Porn Star: Hell Bent for Pleasure is any indication. It's a natural fit, really, at least when you realize that the "Porn Star" of the title refers to Porn Star clothing. That's besides the point, since what this really capitalizes on is the burgeoning punk-porn connection spearheaded by Blink 182 (who are featured on this compilation). They were the leaders of a ...
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When you think of porn, the good people at Cargo Music want make sure that you think of fifth-generation punk rock from the late '90s, if the compilation Porn Star: Hell Bent for Pleasure is any indication. It's a natural fit, really, at least when you realize that the "Porn Star" of the title refers to Porn Star clothing. That's besides the point, since what this really capitalizes on is the burgeoning punk-porn connection spearheaded by Blink 182 (who are featured on this compilation). They were the leaders of a generation of frat-punks who thrilled to boobies instead chaotic noise and artistic freedom, the way the first two or three generations of punkers did. If you're the kind of punk rocker that can get behind the idea that this does not co-opt punk rock -- and if you are, chances are you weren't cognizant of music during new wave, much less punk -- than this will be a pretty solid collection of 23 modern-day, good-time, sloppy punk anthems. If you believe this sells out everything punk ever stood for -- and if you do, you're certainly old-school, which doesn't diminish the validity of your argument, you'll either be appalled or amused by the very existence of this disc -- you'd be right, since it is just really weird that there's a connection between punk and porn. Especially when you realize this, the punk-porn connection has largely been provided by Vivid Video, the adult video company that has made great strides to make porn acceptable in the mainstream by placing their Vivid Girls on billboards in L.A. and getting stars on TV and videos, most notoriously Everclear's remake of "The Boys are Back in Town" for the 1999 film Detroit Rock City. How did they do that? Well, by pushing the hell out of their gals, but also by devoting a large portion of their output to "couples movies," porn that is designed for romantic viewing by couples. In other words, not the kind of thing that testosterone-addled punks would be watching -- if it wasn't for gorgeous babes like Chasey Lain, Jenteal, and Janine, women that would have once been considered too pretty for porn. But if they really did worship at the feet of these women, then why on earth isn't the actress on the cover at least mentioned once in the liner notes, where everybody else on God's green earth is thanked, and Vivid has no less than two shout-outs? For those that are keeping score at home (and if you buy this album, let's face it, you are), that actress is Raylene, one of the Vivid Girls that is making inroads in the mainstream by gracing the cover of this and the Brugham album, plus appearing in Mr. Show's notorious "Wyckyd Sceptre" sketch. Not that she necessarily deserves sympathy -- she did choose a career where her image is all that matters -- but since her tits are selling this album, she should at least have proper credit. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
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Add this copy of Porn Star: Hell Bent for Pleasure to cart. $6.69, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Grilled Cheese.
