Sweet Ride: The Best of Belly

by

Belly

Edit

What makes this cd a joyous occasion rather than a sad one is that it came after two incredible Tanya Donelly solo albums. So we can rest assured that some of the spark that was Belly continues on.

So knowing this we can take a "Best of" cd and reminisce fondly without too much of the grief that comes when a band such as this ends far, far too soon.

Belly lived a relatively short life only producing two studio albums but they also left behind a whole slew of b-sides, rarities, and other little gems. Most of these are included on Sweet Ride along with the top attractions from Star and King.

Really well-known songs aside, I would recommend Spaceman, Thief, Dream on Me, and Lilith which was previously unreleased.

Bottomline, every single song on this disc is a masterpiece. Belly is one of the most under appreciated alternative acts in recent memory. Sweet Ride is the perfect send-off for hardcore fans and a beautiful place to start for new ones.

Before there was Cheryl, before there was Alanis, before there was, uh, Courtney, there was Tanya Donelly; a woman of enchanting baby-voice and unusually resonant cutie-osity (sigh..) Her and her band, Belly, sent the then-thriving alternative rock scene on its ear with the 1993 release of "Star," an album that is sorely underrepresented on this release (no "White Belly?,") What we get here isn't really a best of at all but a smattering of radio hits ("Feed the Tree," "Ghepetto,") and heaping helping of arcane b-sides that belong more on second and third printings of "Star" and 1996's(?) "King" than on a "Best Of" release. Though it is basically a disappointment, I reccomend it to hard core Tanya-philes on the basis of the interesting covers (Hot Burrito 1) and maybe to the Belly beginner, just listen to the above mentioned singles and "Full Moon, Empty Heart" and "Slow Dog" before you pass judgement ; ).