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The Only Ones were immortalized by the single "Another Girl, Another Planet", but this compilation of the best moments from the band's first two British albums ("The Only Ones" and "Even Serpents Shine") proved they were far more than one hit wonders. Peter Perrett's vocals were saturated with a weird, ...charisma, lacking in neither melody nor emotion even though he sounded like the sulky, pockmarked kid contemplating suicide in the back corner of the classroom. The band behind him was made up of (if you'll excuse the term) professional musicians - stubborn old musos with enough chops and experience to defiantly inject drama and subtlety into the simple three-chord-bamalama of late 70's punk. Consequently - and quite naturally - the Only Ones were exiles of their own era, never fitting in to any flavor-of-the-month scene or hyped sub-genre. In other words: rock & roll.

Peter Perrett was a genius, and he found the perfect band of misfits to surround himself with in the Only Ones. The best place to start with to hear this exciting, smart, yet supremely decadent band (the very essence of rock'n'roll) is on this compilation. Some will tell you that this band made one great song: "Another Girl, Another Planet." I'll tell you that if you like that song, you'll discover a gold mine of equally thrilling treasures on this and the group's other albums. Perrett was a brilliant songwriter and engaging if odd singer, the rhythm section was one of the best I've ever heard (Mike Kellie, genius drummer!), and John Perry (now an author) was the greatest flash guitarist you never heard, finding a middle ground between Sterling Morrison and Mick Ronson that was just perfect for this not-quite-punk band.

What does it sound like? Well, it's like a high-energy cross between Lou Reed, Ray Davies, and Bob Dylan--but it rocks the way you always wanted them to, but they never quite did.

Like most good things, it couldn't last, and the Only Ones were history after three official albums, plenty of misadventure, and massive public apathy. Perrett disappeared into a quagmire of drug addiction until the early '90s, when he reemerged with The One (containing no other Only Ones members). Interestingly, his songwriting and singing hadn't declined in the slightest. This longtime Only Ones fan was in heaven. Then he disappeared again...what a loss. Buy this CD and you'll see why.

I really dig this record for two reasons: it's fun and it's really catchy. The singer kind of sounds like Steve Shelley of the Buzzcocks with nasal cojestion, but it's great. This is one of those records that great to listen to in the car on a warm sunny day with all the windows down. It's a great, catchy, feel good, post punk/power pop album. Highly recommended.

A great blast of new wave energy is to be found here. Featuring the classic Another Girl, Another Planet, Britain's The Only Ones rocked many rock fans' worlds when they they came to public attention during the late 70s punk explosion. Listning to them, you hear in them a sort of a glam/pre-punk feel, not unlike Lou Reed and the New York Dolls. In fact, I suggest listening to them along with Lou and the Dolls, perhaps on a CD spinner. Their respective sounds are quite complimentary.

Back to the Only Ones; here is what Jim Walsh of Spin says about them: "Live, the band's leopard skin vests, furs, pink top hats, sharkskin smoking jackets, and shades had more in common with glam than punk." Walsh also describes lead singer Peter Perrett's songs as "suggestive, flowery, mystical, debauched," and his voice as "sheated in sorrow, decay, and bliss - nothing short of hypnotic." Ira Robbins of Trouser Press refers to Perrett's "romanticism and artfully decadent stylings."

It's no wonder Peter Perrett and Johnny Thunders hit it off.

The Only Ones - a magnificent cross between Lou Reed and the Buzzcocks. Absolutely brilliant guitar from John Perry, great lyrics from the man himself - Peter Perret - and fine musicianship add up to an irresistable force on your CD player.

Terrific band - best Heroin music this side of Lou Reed: all of Reed's power, but a lot more bounce. The reviewer who thinks the band is all "Another Girl, Another Planet" should try listening to "Creature of Doom" which is unaccountably not on this collection.

I had some great rock'n'roll records before I began my policy of not putting money into junkies' pockets.

This compilation represents a lot of 'em - the Only Ones were our very own Television, (with lots of hints of The Stones, Lou Reed) and John Perry was a fantastically exciting guitarist.

In our house, first single 'Lovers of Today' (with its cheeky quote from 'Friday on My Mind') got bought the same day as 'Sultans of Swing' (hey, we were learning to play guitar in those days) and was clearly the product of a better band - witty, decadent, romantic lyrics and (gulp) un-plodding work in the rhythm section (from a British band - unheard of).

The Only Ones got bigger, louder, more conventional (ie more Stonesy) thru their three albums - selling out without ever making it beyond cult status.

This compilation was compiled by singer/writer Peter Perrett. Don't know if it reflects what he thinks is the band's best work (in which case why didn't he stop singing and writing and leave them to become a screamin' guitar instrumental trio?). It contains a few too many of the nearly-heavy 'rockers' and too few of the poppier 'nearly' hits - where's 'Fools' and 'Out There In The Night'? - for me.

But I guess that's what proves they're a cult band - this ain't no greatest hits, so you can argue about what shoulda been put on and left off. What there is always did sound a little out of time (again like Television they had punk energy but played like rock musicians).

Recommended if you want to hear 'Marquee Moon' and 'Exile on Main Street' at the same time without having to run in and out the room.

I had some great rock'n'roll records before I began my policy of not putting money into junkies' pockets.

This compilation represents a lot of 'em - the Only Ones were our very own Television, (with lots of hints of The Stones, Lou Reed) and John Perry was a fantastically exciting guitarist.

In our house, first single 'Lovers of Today' (with its cheeky quote from 'Friday on My Mind') got bought the same day as 'Sultans of Swing' (hey, we were learning to play guitar in those days) and was clearly the product of a better band - witty, decadent, romantic lyrics and (gulp) un-plodding work in the rhythm section (from a British band - unheard of).

The Only Ones got bigger, louder, more conventional (ie more Stonesy) thru their three albums - selling out without ever making it beyond cult status.

This compilation was compiled by singer/writer Peter Perrett. Don't know if it reflects what he thinks is the band's best work (in which case why didn't he stop singing and writing and leave them to become a screamin' guitar instrumental trio?). It contains a few too many of the nearly-heavy 'rockers' and too few of the poppier 'nearly' hits - where's 'Fools' and 'Out There In The Night'? - for me.

But I guess that's what proves they're a cult band - this ain't no greatest hits, so you can argue about what shoulda been put on and left off. What there is always did sound a little out of time (again like Television they had punk energy but played like rock musicians).

Recommended if you want to hear 'Marquee Moon' and 'Exile on Main Street' at the same time without having to run in and out the room.

"Another Girl Another Planet" has been one of my favorite songs for years and years, and I spent a long time trying to find anything else from this band. Obviously there's room for disagreement here, but I didn't find any of the other songs memorable in the least. Not bad but kinda tepid power pop. If you have a record player try to find the "That Summer" soundtrack, otherwise buy this but don't get your hopes up.