An overdue anthology from the massively influential Catford band, cited as an influence by such modern luminaries as Devendra Banhart, Kate Bush, and frequently named as the favourite band of indie-pop lightweight Martin Carr to anyone who'll listen (which is now into double figures).
This collection does it's best to convey the wide range of experimental styles they've dabbled in throughout the years - the proto-Stooges rumble of 'Paper Plane', the Reichian minimalisms of 'Rockin' All Over the World' - and the apocalyptic boogie woogie stylings of songs such as 'Marguerita Time' owe a huge debt to player piano innovator Conlon Nancarrow.
The heavy hitting Pilger-like commentary of 'In the Army Now' has lost none of it's effect over time, and is a timely reminder of our brave troops serving in some foreign place, and the subversive take on gender politics of 'Don't Drive My Car' has become an unlikely theme song for many left-wing feminist movements.
With such a daunting and impenetrable discography, it's often been hard for the newcomer to appreciate where to begin with a band like Status Quo, and the elitist attitude of their hardcore fanbase is also daunting (who often yell "we give QUO QUARTER" at gig goers who don't know the lyrics to obscure b-sides by the Quo's 60's incarnation). Happily, this introduction will give these misunderstood underachievers a fresh perspective in a post-9/11 world.
