Customer Reviews

All the Best

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Stiff Little Fingers are quite simply the best. They started out as a Belfast-based heavy metal band, with the naf name Highway Star, but the discovery of the Clash immediately changed their political direction. Having discovered punk, they then stole a new name from a song by the Vibrators. Marc Bolan and Elvis Costello were the group's other big inspirations. SLF's mixture of punk, white reggae and heavy rock has influenced a wide range of other artists. Believe it or not but it was the album 'Inflammable Material' that persuaded Manu Chao to get into music. Sinead O'Connor named her son after lead singer Jake Burns and invited bassist Ali McMordie to participate on her first (and only good) album. U2 were big fans as were Oasis. Green Day, Ash, Offspring and the Dropkick Murphys all drew inspiration here. Moby is now managed by Ali McMordie. It was after hearing the SLF version of 'Common People' that Paul Young decided to cover that song. The song 'Listen' recently became a huge hit for Argentinian boys' band Takke 77. The group always had more credibility than commercial success. Only one of their singles, At the Edge, made the UK top 20, although three of their albums did ('Inflammable Material', 'Nobody's heroes' and 'Hanx'). This was political rock at its best- the protest songs are much more powerful than anything Bob Dylan ever did. Whilst most artists producing political material are distanced from the subject of their songs, this group actually lived in a war zone. They ignored the death threats and wrote songs denouncing Northern Ireland's paramilitary terrorist groupings describing them as 'blind fascists brought up to hate and given lives to waste'. Other left-wing anthems followed denouncing racism, calling for better treatment of women and more equality. The group encouraged people to think for themselves although never seemed aware of the irony of its fan-base needing to be told this. SLF is still going today (now with former -Jam bassist Bruce Foxton)... Even to this day they are amongst the best live bands in the world. The title of this particular album is a little misleading. This is not a 'best of' compilation in the sense of presenting all their best material (otherwise 'Johnny Was','Barbed Wire Love', 'Roots, radicals, rockers and reggae' and 'Fly the Flag' would all be on here). Rather it is the bringing together of all the singles and b-sides released in the band's earliest incarnation (1978-82). Some of these aren't very good ('Good for nothing', 'Touch and Go', etc) but the collection provides a clear sign-post to the development of the band in the period. Overall this is a collection of the highest quality. It would be difficult to find better songs about the situation in Northern Ireland than 'Suspect Device' or 'Wasted Life'. Hard to imagine more powerful recordings about teenage rebellion than 'Gotta Getaway' or 'At the Edge'. First class music and some of the best lyrics ever. But be warned this has a rough edge and if you like Phil Collins you are not likely to like this.

SLF were always burdened with that "Irish Clash" moniker, which I suppose hurt more than helped, but there was a reason for it: they knew how to write a tune & knew that there were injustices around them worth addressing. This 2-disc affair is a worthy overview of their best years, that shows how they started out a brash and rowdy punk band, gradually injected more melody and diversity into their sound, and eventually mellowed out into a straight power-pop band. So no matter which facet of SLF you like, it's all here.

It's got the single version of Suspect Device (less angry, but better,) the superb rebel anthem 78 RPM (unavailable on any album,) the best tracks from Nobody's Heroes (their second and best record, equivalent to the Clash's London Calling,) some fun live stuff, a helping of other rarities and non-album tracks (including Listen, a great latter-day track,) and even a handful of tracks from the long-out-of-print (though very recently back in print) 4th album Now Then.

If you've ever had any inclination at all towards old-school British punk, you simply cannot be without this rock-solid, spectacular compilation. And don't be surprised if you become a huge Stiff Little Fingers fan because of it (Jake Burns and Co. are still making music today.)

To put it simply, Stiff Little Fingers is perhaps the most underated rock n roll band ever. Jake Burns and Co. took a political stand much like the Clash did, but never got the mass acclaim for it.
Personally as I listen to the Fingers more and more, their messages of rebellion come off a bit more heartfelt then the Clash's, which were burdened heavily by the fact that they worked for a major label record company.
Stiff Little Fingers traveled into much of the same sonic landscape as the Clash, but were a little bit better at restraint (alas no Sandinista album here).
As for the messages on the album, the politics haven't really aged too badly. After Sep. 11, Suspect Device has a new ring to it as does Tin Soldiers.
The latter-day SLF stuff on this disk is breathtaking. Listen, Stands to Reason and Talkback are perhaps some of the best rock songs ever recorded.
Now that I think about, SLF is the band U2 wishes it was.

Yes this is the band U2 can only dream about being partly because these guys lived in Belfast at the height ofthe "Troubles" -- so there's no second-hand, sanctimonious, simple-minded preaching as you get from U2 or anyone else south of the border. The sound is raw, it's real -- no fluff here. Yet the band never seemed to have reached the height of the Clash at least in the US -- can it be because of the prejudiced view that rock bands from Ireland were considered cheap imitations of the Brit bands? This collection is a good "summary" of the band's history. no they're not the "English Clash" -- they're sui generis.

Coming from belfast s.l.f had more reason than most, to be angry and showed this with track's like 'suspect device' and 'alternative ulster',the first two singles from there debut album 'inflammable material'. entering the british chart's at no 14, s.l.f showed a youthful energy not seen since the sex pistols three year's earlyier. although they became more melodic with every release and even pop/rock 'bits of kids', 'the price of admission' didn't stop them being essencial listening.'all the best' contains 30 excellant rock tunes that mostly come from the bands first four studio albums, all of which are worth checking out and also there live album 'hanx',that could quite possibly be the best punk live album ever.

Can't agree with my fellow reviewer who compares their sound to Oi! A close listen to their lyrics--written by a journalist, and therefore rather preachy and sloganeering, sure, but certainly a cut above the Oi! ilk--shows an intelligent pop-punk-reggae-lite synthesis which grew in theme and style even as the music gets, well, less catchy. I admit to have been underwhelmed by SLF's current efforts post-reunion, but their past hits and misses here stand up pretty well. Less dated than the Clash, that's for sure--a comparison that bedevilled them in their career, it seems. Hindsight makes clearer the fluid playing and spirited delivery of a thinking-person's punk-pop band, with lyrics you can actually think about. How rare is that, then or now? I enjoy them, 20 years ago, and also today

A friend reccomened me this band because i like The Clash, so last week I went down to my local record shop and asked about the band, Nick, the owner recommended me this CD saying "if you dont own any of their albums this is where to start" apparently he has been a SLF fan for several years now. Im quite impressed by this compilation, it hasnt left my cd player since. i'll definitly have to buy the albums

awesome slf second only to the clash this disc is a great introduction into this band

SLF is one of the best punk bands ever and showed lots of talent with great songs like alternative ulster, doesnt make it allright, nobodys hero, bloody sunday, wasted life, etc.
SLF has great songs excelent mellodys good lyrics it has every thing. this cd is worth it, youl love every song.

Fantastic album, and a real "must" for anyone who likes raw energy, and followed the group. It sums up their career nicely. If the first disc is your favourite then you MUST buy "HANX" - live album, which to me is one of the best albums ever!