Search - Straitjacket Fits :: Best of

Amazing, Surprising, Inventive Music, Good Compilation

Beatmerchant26 | somewhere in the south pacific | 08/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was really surprised by the quality and frankly awe inspiring music on this compilation. I bought it after watching a documentary about Flying Nun (a seminal New Zealand alternative label)and I my jaw was dropped by the chill inducing drama of the classic She Speeds, the sheer melodic beauty of Down In Splendour and Sparkle That Shines which were penned by Andrew Brough. There are so many highlights its hard to mention them all. Headwind has a spine tingling breakdown with dramatic guitars, If I Were You is a great ironic, melancholic pop song. And Rollerride is a thrilling ride. The Straitjacket Fits were a New Zealand band and I am a New Zealander myself and its no exaggeration to say the Fits are the greatest, most inspired New Zealand band of all time. Their mix of pop, and tripped out rock is original and inventive. Its difficult to describe but its very original and for me when I listen to it it conjures up geographic images of forests, hills and the general New Zealand landscape which is refreshing when so much popular music is based on America. Basically these guys had the music to be considered a classic band, an internationally classic band.Fortunately for younger fans the Fits did a reunion tour in 2005 around New Zealand after breaking up in 1994 around and I was lucky enough to see them live and it was the best gig I've ever seen, absolutely amazing, and I've seen good overseas acts like Tool before. The place erupted when She Speeds was played. Also the gigs the were packed, with a lot of young people as well as older punters there which confirmed the Fits cult status and the continuing relevance of their music. Basically if you enjoy good rock music with an alternative sensibility this is a fantastic purchase. Shayne Carter, the frontman of the Fits is still writing good music today in Dimmer and is considered one of the most talented musicians in the country. Dimmer's second album won best rock album at the New Zealand music awards in 2004.Take a chance on it, you'll be very surprised by how good it is."

The greatest band never..

Pastor of Disaster | Wexford, Ireland | 10/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cant say anyhting that hasnt been said by other reviewers about SF, just that if you havnt heard them before, buy this CD, or "Melt" and just listen to how great this wonderful Kiwi band were. This compilation makes a good stab at sampling all three albums, though fans will argue their own personal favourites never made it onto the list. Its hard to select highlights as the quality of the songs is just so outstanding, its a shame that the lyrics often are hard to make out, because Shayne Carters songs often stand alone as poetry in their own right. Buy everything you can from this band and wish there was more."