Makes the wait for the new album (2001) bearable...
Joshua Alexander | Washington, DC | 12/26/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you love HWM than you will love this. This collection of singles highlights some of the best songs that HWM has ever penned. "The Bitter End" remains in my opinion one of the best HWM songs ever. Not a starter album, but a wonderful filler for those of us who can't wait until they complete the new album. A strong heartfelt offering. Tracks include Alchua, Never Ender, The Bitter End, You Can Take The Boy Out Of Bradenton, Hate Mail Comes in August, Elektra, Powder, Us & Chuch, Loft, and Sound For Language. The packaging is a nice bonus. The artwork by Scott Sinclair is beautiful."
An all-around BADASS package! PICK THIS UP!
Campbell Roark | from under the floorboards and through the woods.. | 01/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First- the caveat- this is one of my favorite bands, I admit my bias. Even their newer stuff doesn't rub me wrong, as it seems to have so many others... regardless...
If you stumbled onto this (basically a collection of HWM's B-sides) I'm assuming you're a fan of the band. I'm also assuming that you don't have this. A situation that needs to be 'remedied.' (awful joke)
These tracks easily stand along with all other HWM music. And that's really saying something. Not much filler- There are maybe 3 songs that become a tad too repetitive, churning/screaming... for the most part this is all top-notch!
Sound-wise it recalls their style around Fuel for the Hate Game through Forever and Counting, No Division- what most consider to be the 'Golden Age' of HWM releases. The first four tracks are unbelievably good! Straight ahead, balls to the wall, pounding, visceral music (the kind that you don't hear much these days)!
The final handful are longer, more jarring, slanted, less-streamlined, more late-90's local band emo-esque (hate to rely on that worn prison towel of a term but it fits here)- it's a odd divergence and it works for the couple songs that employ that style.
The packaging is superb- tons of artwork by the guy who does all their album art- beautiful stuff, great notes! I just can't say enough about this. If you're a fan of HWM's early-mid material, get this! It won't disappoint. And while you're at it, pick up the Jade Tree switch/single they did with Alk 3 a few years back and another 4 track comp: Moonpies for Misfits! This is band you can't really go wrong with! They'll never steer you off of the rock!"
Best band ever
ajack | ohio | 06/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i want to say this is a great cd. My favorite song is never ender because it made me think of the girl i loved alot. Also i like to say i would give this cd a 1000 out of 10"
Great great great
L. L. Bostillo | OBX, NC, USA | 10/13/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this album has "the bitter end" which came out on the Leatherface split and is probably one of my favorite HWM songs. basically all this is is a collection of singles and stuff. it has some of THE BEST HWM SONGS on it. like "alachua", "hate mail comes in august", "us & chuck", "you can take the boy out of bradenton", "the bitter end"...etc. all these songs are really good and if you buy this record at their shows or from No Idea you can get a free disc/record of demos with it.
this is my favorite collection of HWM songs. it's GREAT DRIVING MUSIC. haha...i really do listen to it all the time. i absolutely love it. and of course, fans of the trademark HWM artwork (done by scott sinclair) will LOVE this too.
ROCK ROCK ROCK."
Buy it at Shows
L. L. Bostillo | 04/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great cd, but buy it at the shows. The version found at the shows is a 2 cd set, with the second cd containing demos whixh are really cool to hear. If you like the band, you have to see them live to really appreciate the energy and emotion that goes into their music. Buy this while you're there."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1