By Justin Mann

Daily Arts Writer

Snot vocalist Lynn Strait and Boxer Dobbs (the band's mascot) died in a three car collision in Santa Barbara, CA on December 11th, 1998. Virgin records tribute album, Strait Up, features the vocalists from System of a Down, Korn, Sevendust, Limp Bizkit and Sugar Ray. The singers join the remaining members of Snot in this collaborative effort.

This album's strongest tracks are "Starlit Eyes" sung by System of a Down's frontman Serj Tankian, "Take it Back" sung by Jonathan Davis of Korn, "Divided" features Incubus growler Brandon Boyd and "Absent" played solely by the members of Snot. Strait Up is an eclectic arrangement of hardcore and heavy-metal rock songs whose lyrics express the life and death of Lynn Strait.

The album was created under less than ideal circumstances, but it showcases the respect that these musicians have for their friends, fellow musicians and especially Strait. As Fred Durst says in "Forever," "You don't know what you've got till it's gone/You don't know what you've lost till it's gone." These words convey the immense amount of feeling driving this tribute album.

The songs on Strait Up are as diverse as the men singing them. Some are hard, some angry and all were chosen to celebrate the life of Lynn Strait.

Grade: B