Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band In The World, The - Supersuckers > Reviews > Supersuckers in name alone

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	27 songs on one CD, with a good variety of styles for one band
Disadvantages:	Not the heaviest thing out there

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Supersuckers: The Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band In The World

This “best of” album covers the early part of the Supersuckers career. This, possibly more than last years “Evil Powers of Rock n’ Roll” is a good jumping-on point to this most idiosyncratic of bands. This collection is drawn primarily from their first five albums released on Sub Pop, a label more renowned for its grunge output in the early 90’s. Along with tracks from these albums, this collection also contains rare b-sides and other hard-to-find tracks.

It starts off solidly, with a collection of hard-rocking tunes garnered from their first three albums “The Smoke of Hell”, “La Mano Cornuda” and “Sacreligious”. These tunes all follow a similar basic blueprint; breakneck guitars, pounding drums, and hollered vocals. The songs are, however surprisingly well-written, with strong choruses, and large dollops of wit and tongue-in-cheek humour. Even singer Eddie Spaghetti’s limited vocal range never seems to detract from their immediate quality.

At track 10, however, we get our first hint of true diversity. “Dead in the Water”, from their fourth album “Must’ve Been High” is a country and western tune, replete with acoustic & steel guitars, and that plodding country bassline. More tracks from this album, such as “Roadworn & Weary” and “Supersucker Drive-by Blues” continue to showcase the bands country-fied side without ever seeming forced or contrived.

Tracks 15-27 represent the rarities side of this compilation. Highlights of this portion include “Hell City, Hell”, a depraved collaboration with Blind Marky Felchtone of Punk nutters Zeke, “Bloody Mary Morning” with country legend Willie Nelson, and a rampage through rapper Ice Cube’s “Dead Homiez”.

Ultimately, as with all Supersuckers albums, this isn’t for everyone. But if classy, fun and well-written punk rawk is your cup of tea, I would heartily recommend this as a jumping-on point for this unique band.