An album for die hard fans
Hippie Smell | Brooklyn | 11/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are like me and have the complete Smog catalog, then this is a nice compilation of some earlier hard to find material. If some one were to come to me and ask me what Smog album to get first I would point them to 'Red Apple Falls' or the 'Kicking A Couple Around' EP. For die hard fans of Smog, this album has it all: the depressing songs, the dry humor, and the powerful song writing that keeps you coming back for multiple listens."
Mixed bag...
J. Clark | Blacklick, OH United States | 02/17/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This album is basically a compilation of imported 7 inches / CD singles from the past decade plus some BBC tracks and a new song. I'm torn on this album. The new song 'White Ribbon' doesn't do anything for me. But, 'Wine Stained Lips' makes the whole purchase worthwhile. With lines like 'some people shouldn't drink wine at parties / some people shouldn't have woke up this morning' it's hard not to chuckle a little. 'Chosen One' is another classic Smog song. Then you have 'Just Like Napoleon', which sounds like a bad high school metal band with a pasty white boy talking really fast about something he heard during his History period earlier in the day.I guess my main problem is the questionable song selections and sequencing. Here are some b-sides that I think would have fit better, or could should have been tacked on:Grey & Castles
Be Hit
Duckpond Blues
37 Push-UpsBut that's just me. I'm glad Drag City released something, although a bit incomplete and inconsistent. For the people new to the world of Smog, I would have to say go with 'Kicking a Couple Around' or 'Doctor Came at Dawn' and come back to this later. There's nothing wrong with this, it just sounds a bit bipolar."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1