Search - Stiff Little Fingers :: Hope Street / All the Best: Live in UK

Compared to other recent efforts, this is ideal

punkviper | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 02/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you didn't already know, the first disc in this set is all new material, the second is a live set that serves as another SLF "Best Of." The live stuff is good, you should know what to expect there. But back when I bought this, I was really impressed about how they had improved. To be sure, this is no Inflammable Material. The rage and anger that fueled that album is from an increasingly disappearing bygone era. The improvement comes relative to the rather unholy trilogy of Flags And Emblems, Get A Life, and Tinderbox. If you have never had the misfortune of hearing those 3 slabs of dreck, count yourself lucky. Which is why I approached this one half-flinchingly.But it was okay. It was more than okay, it was GOOD. I mean, SLF are a more smoothed out band now, with acoustic guitars and the occasional brass section, but the songwriting is still there along with some punch and gusto, and on Hope Street it is better than anything since Now Then. Gladly, we can all rejoice that SLF has finally cured whatever malady plagued them in the late 80's/early 90's. Mind you, this is not a classic like Nobody's Heroes, but for where SLF are today, it is eminently likeable and belongs in the average Fingers fan's collection. And getting the live disc is like a bonus."

Best CD Jake & Co. have done in years

punkviper | 05/26/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jake Burns has once again emerged as a force in the English music scene. Hope Street is by far the best disc SLF has put out in many years (too many). The live disc was a bit of a let down for me, but then I have all of their other live recordings, and this disc didn't have their flow."