Review Summary: A good compilation; it is a nice introduction to the basics of the band, but it needed more
I had no idea this compilation even existed until I stumbled upon it at a record store. To be honest, I've seen better compilations, yet I've seen worse at the same time. Its a good way to start to get familiar with the band's basic hits, but it needs songs that were left out for some odd reason.
I don't want to spend too much time talking about how much I do or don't like the songs on this because I'd rather talk about the quality of the compilation. It covers all of the band's well known songs, such as In Too Deep, Pieces, and the ever-so popular Fat Lip, and it covers songs that people wouldn't necessarily say as "go-to" songs, such as Walking Disaster and Makes No Difference (which is a re-recorded version on this album). The biggest surprise on this compilation is a song off their album "All Killer No Filler" called Handle This. I'm actually glad they included this song on the album because this was one of my favourites off of that album. The rest of the songs on the album are actually pretty standard in terms of choices for songs on this compilation, such as Still Waiting, With Me, Motivation, and Over My Head (Better Off Dead). They're all good songs, which is a good thing; there isn't one stinker on this.
Although, this compilation is missing songs that would allow the band's talent to shine through. A few examples of songs that would fit well on this CD are Some Say, No Brains, Rhythms, 88, So Long Goodbye... I could go on for a while. Its just that this band has a good library of songs at their disposal, and it seems like this CD is just barely touching the surface of what their greatest songs are. It is almost better to listen to all their albums individually to hear these songs in relation to their respected albums.
There are a few different versions of this compilation that differ in terms of the bonus tracks. On my CD, I have a live recording of The Hell Song, which although it seems pointless due to the fact that it is already on the CD in studio form, its not bad. Other editions include a previously unreleased song entitled Always (its a decent song, but it doesn't make the compilation a must-buy), a live version of Motivation, and music videos.
Overall, this compilation is a good stepping stone, and it is a good way to get familiar with Sum 41. Its not great, but it gets the job done.
