Adam

For friends who merely knew (but loved) the megahits such as "Antmusic", Stand & Deliver! and Goody Two-Shoes, this is an excellent way to provide them with their own copy of these tunes and at the same time open their eyes to almost two full decades of the hits, near-misses and shouldabeens which peppered Adam's whole recording career.

Any sense of chronology has gone out of the window here, but the track order flows well, and it's pleasing to note some of the subtle choices between versions of songs included. Once again we get the 1980 Pirroni-powered versions of "Cartrouble" and "Kick!", as well as the 1982 revamp of "Friends", in preference to their "Dirk Wears White Sox"-era original readings (as found variously, and in various shapes, on the original Do-It release of DWWS and their later cash-in releases "The B-Sides" and "Antmusic EP"). Once again we get the revised, softened version of "Deutscher Girls" (deleting the highly provocative "Nazi" lyric from the verses) but again no sign of the excellent B-side from that EG/Polydor single, "Plastic Surgery", the other Ants contribution to the soundtrack album for Derek Jarman's "Jubilee" (itself unavailable commercially on CD apart from a limited US release). But on the other hand, it's very good news to see the 7" single mixes/edits of "Goody Two-Shoes" and "Stand And Deliver!" restored to this release, unlike so many lazy compilations of the past. And despite the omission of one or two much later solo singles (selections maybe best forgotten anyway), and the missed opportunity for a second disc of B-sides and/or alternative versions, the 22 tracks provided here completely fill the disc to capacity whilst giving a solid overview of Adam's whole recorded output 1977-1996.

Something odd has happened to the opening seconds of "Dog Eat Dog", though; what used to be a subtle fade-in now suddenly appears mid-fade with a jolt, as if someone mastering this CD flicked a switch a few seconds late. What a pity, after all the care taken with this compilation in the above areas.

All in all, this is an excellent primer for those who missed most of the style, the flamboyance, the silliness and above all the unrestrained, unpretentious FUN of Adam's high points the first time around, and a very good budget compilation for the fans and former fans who want just one disc by which to remember one of the most interesting and genuinely innovative icons in the history of modern pop. He could certainly teach the current "popstars" a thing or two.