Carry on Up the Charts: The Best of The Beautiful South

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The Beautiful South

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Arising from the ashes of The Housemartins certainly wasn't going to be an easy move (as The Housemartins were also a great band), but as this compilation proves, they pulled it off with some aplomb. Their individual albums covered here are worth getting anyway (especially 0898, Choke and Miaow), but this compilation probably takes the very best songs from these albums, so one can't complain. Every song is simply excellent, even the ones you may not have heard before. The lyrics are cynical and witty, almost Morrissey - like in parts, and the music is simply (probably) the catchiest you've ever heard! It's just a shame that some people will find themselves thinking they're 'too cool' to listen to The Beautiful South, as they think all they sing is 'love songs.' But this is far from the truth; They adress all kinds of issues such as relationships, domestic violence, lust, politics etc. better than all of the moronic Nu-metal cliched bands out there, the fans of which wouldn't know good music if it smacked them in the face with a trumpet, then created music bliss with the gorgeous strings in 'Old Red Eyes Is Back.' Anyway, before I get carried away, go and buy this if you have sense. Broaden your musical horizons. It's just a shame their second 'Greatest Hits' CD was rather a cynical marketting ploy (retracting from the fact it's still a damn good, near perfect collection of songs), as 7 of the songs here feature on 'Solid Bronze.' They could've released a 'Best of 1995 - present date,' but hey, never mind.