Product Description

In their late '70s/early '80s heyday, Stiff Little Fingers were among the most clever and ferocious purveyors of melodic, message-oriented punk rock around. Combining teenage angst with a guttural rage at the British presence in Northern Ireland, they managed to put out several classically raw platters before their inevitable implosion (and eventual reunions with progressively fewer members, but that's another story).
ALL THE BEST is a two-disc set that captures the choicest material from their first three indispensable records, plus some rarities and live tracks to boot. For those fans soparochial as to think that Irish music is exclusively of the Clancy Brothers and Chieftains variety, "Suspect Device" and "Nobody's Hero" will be a pleasant wake-up call. Also included are essential gems such as "Alternative Ulster", "JustGo For It", and even a live version of "White Christmas". ALL THE BEST is an excellent introduction to one of the best political punk bands of all time.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Suspect Device
2. Wasted Life
3. Alternative Ulster
4. 78 Rpm
5. Gotta Get Away
6. Bloody Sunday
7. Straw Dogs
8. You Can't Say Crap On The Radio
9. At The Edge
10. Running Bear
11. White Christmas
12. Nobody's Hero
13. Tin Soldiers
14. Back To Front
15. Mr Fire Coal Man
16. Just Fade Away
17. Go For It
18. Doesn't Make It Alright
19. Silver Lining
20. Safe As Houses
21. Sad Eyed People
22. Two Guitars Clash
23. Listen
24. That's When Your Blood Bumps
25. Good For Nothing
26. Talkback
27. Stands To Reason
28. Bits Of Kids
29. Touch And Go
30. Price Of Admission

Disc 2:

1. Just Fade Away
2. Go For It
3. Doesn't Make It Alright
4. Silver Lining
5. Safe As Houses
6. Sad Eyed People
7. Two Guitars Clash
8. Listen
9. That's When Your Blood Bumps
10. Good For Nothing
11. Talkback
12. Stands To Reason
13. Bits Of Kids
14. Touch And Go
15. Price Of Admission

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7256 in Music
• Released on: 1991-09-16
• Number of discs: 2

Customer Reviews

kickin' up a racket
This compilation basically showcases SLF singles, although be warned the B sides really are not up to much. Moreover, the production on a lot of the songs on this really sounds dated and some of it is hard to listen to. It must be said that Jake Burns is NOW a great singer but his vocals on SLF's early stuff really aren't up to much, it's just a gravelly shout. Nonetheless, towards the latter stages of this compilation (for example, on tracks such as "listen" or "Bits of Kids") his vocal delivery really picks up, although I would say their live cds are a far better bet to catch the quintessential SLF experience. Alternatively, buy "Get a Life", "Tinderbox", or the best of cd selected by Jake called "song by song" which I personally think is a better compilation (and which brings things up to date).

Top drawer music
If you remember the good old days of head pumping jumping around then this album will bring it all back. From the moment the album opens with the almighty "Suspect Device", the blood starts rushing, the brain starts squeaming and the whole body is ready to thrash for hours upon hours. Very soon the unforgettable guitar of "Alternative Ulster" takes you by storm and soon after your thumping to "At the Edge". What can I say - One of the best albums of all time.

Voted NME best live band in their heyday- need I say more...
This album really is the definitive SLF album. Anyone who remembers the era will know how many groups sold out in the early eighties (Stranglers with Golden Brown - U2 with just about everything, Undertones). The difference with SLF was that their music evolved but maintained its cutting edge - listen to Bits of Kids from Now Then or Imflammable Material from their earliest days and the raw power and sentiment is evident in both, just put over differently - perhaps they learnt to play their instruments, in the end. Dam Busters theme is worth the money alone - this started every concert I remember and throws you back to hot sweaty civic centres across the country - 20 years away