I was handed this album and told to have a listen. Unsure of who the group were I was apprehensive. The album cover gives nothing away as on the front it shows a desert scene with the group name, 'Smash Mouth' in the top corner and an electronic scrolling sign post with the words, 'All Star Smash Hits'. On the rear of the cover there are photos of the group performing at a live venue, which initially I thought meant that album had been recorded 'live' - it hasn't.
As the title of the album suggests, 'All Star Smash Hits', this is a greatest hits album cleverly named after the groups best known hit, 'All Star'. Don't know it? You will if you've ever seen the movie 'Shrek'.
There are 20 tracks on the album, which was a surprise as I wasn't sure that this relatively fringe band had produced so much music
- but they have and the 20 tracks are well worthy of being on the album.
The album opens with what is probably the groups best known track - All Star. As mentioned, this was the opening theme to the animated movie Shrek. It's an upbeat rock-ish song and I'm certain almost everyone will have heard it on the radio at one time or another.
It's quite difficult to pin Smash Mouth down to one genre of music as the second track, 'Walkin' On The Sun' opens very much in a 60s style of music. However, the style of singing is still a bit rock-ish.
The third track, 'Flo' thows you again as it is a very fast track with punk undertones! This tempo and style continues with the fourth track, 'Beer Goggles', which is even more punk-ish with hard fast lyrics.
Just when you think you've got the gist of their music the fifth track, 'Why Can't We Be Friends?' takes another twist and is very similar to Ska. The sixth track, 'Diggin' Your Scene' sticks with the Ska style.
The seventh track, 'Waste' throws you again as it slows the tempo right down to what could almost be described as a ballad. This theme continues with the eighth track, When The Morning Comes'. Not a ballad, but a slower song compared to the others preceding.
However, just as you get comfy things speed up again with 'Come On Come On' which is almost a mix of both Ska and punk styles. This continues into the next track, 'Can't Get Enough Of You Baby'.
Yet again the style changes with the next track, 'Every Word Means No', which is reminiscent of the Rolling Stones/Doors style. The twelth track, 'Better Do It Right' takes us back down the Ska route and could easily be a Specials song.
Then we're back again in that 60s/70s era style with 'Do It Again' and 'Holiday In My Head'.
'Pacific Coast Party' throws you completely as it sounds like the opening to some seventies TV show, but pans out into a great song.
The next track suggests a 60s style, which is apt as it is a cover version of the Monkees hit, 'I'm A Believer' and was another track in the movie Shrek!
Track 17, 'Ain't No Mystery' opens with a bit of 'scratching' not unlike the 80s hip-hop genre of music, but has a sort of Funk feeling to it. The next track, 'Hang On' is another rock-ish song. As is track 19, 'Always gets Her Way'.
The final track, 'Getting Better' is another movie track from 'The Cat In the Hat' and is an upbeat catchy tune which completes the line-up.
Given that I knew very little about the band before listening to the album, it has to be said that I was blown away by the tracks. There was not one track I wanted to fast forward through. It is impossible to tie these guys down to any particular style of music as there style seem to cross into so many different genres. This most probably what makes it such an enjoyable album. That and the fact that you can't help bopping along to the tracks.
I would definitely recommend this album if you like upbeat, fast paced music. Forget the punk/Ska/60s styles mentioned - you will LOVE this album. The lyrics are nothing to write home about, (as you can no doubt tell from the titles of the various tracks), but the music compensates enormously and makes for highly entertaining music!
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All Star Walkin' On The Sun Flo Beer Goggles Why Can't We Be Friends Diggin' Your Scene ... more
Waste Then The Morning Comes Come On Come On Can't Get Enough Of You Baby Every Word Means No Better Do It Right Do It Again Holiday In My Head Pacific Coast Party...
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