The album is a paradox from the start. First of all, the words “punk” and “acoustic” rarely cohabitate well; they’re like the Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison of musical terminology. However odd a coupling they might seem, there they are, smack dab in the title of Fearless Records’ new compilation, “Punk Goes Acoustic 2.”

Second of all, whoever put together the band list for an album like this might want to check their definition of what is considered a punk band. While a band like Anti-Flag seems perfect for such a perplexing album, others such as Plus 44, Jacks Mannequin and The All-American Rejects, defy the punk moniker to begin with. Perhaps it should have been called “Punk-Lite Goes Just a Little Softer than They Already Were.”

While we are talking about definitions, let’s delve into another misconception: the word “acoustic” is not a replacement for the word “depressing.” Check with the fine folks at Dictionary.com if you don’t believe me. Just because you are contracted to do an acoustic version of a song (or cough up a previously unreleased acoustic track) doesn’t mean it has to be a sad song. It’s as if each band picked up an acoustic guitar, promptly wept at the perceived magnitude of doing so and proceeded to record it.

Certainly these bands have one or two up-tempo numbers that would make for an excellent acoustic version (I guess the All-American Rejects really did decide to keep their “Dirty Little Secret”). The only ones who seem to be having fun with an such an obviously laughable concept are Anti-Flag, who serve up a rollicking paranoid protest song in “Welcome to 1984,” and Say Anything, who turn their “Woe” into a saloon jingle complete with a lively tinkling piano. As a fan of Fearless’ previous releases in the “Punk Goes?” series such as “Punk Goes Pop” (where’s that sequel, I ask you), “Punk Goes 80’s” and “Punk Goes 90’s,” this half-hearted attempt in an otherwise inspired anthology is a letdown. How about next time we get a compilation of acoustic punk cover songs instead? Who wouldn’t be game for an acoustic “Blitzkrieg Bop” or “God Save the Queen?” Perhaps it’s only a pipe-dream, but it’s certainly better than this collection of downbeat deadweight.

Frank Miller can be reached at [email protected]