Collection I

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Misfits

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This is possibly my favorite album, right next to Beastie Boys "Paul's Boutique" (yeah, pretty different). I can't fathom anyone not liking this album to some extent. Take away the deranged imagery and punk leanings and one's left with a collection of infectious pop songs that harkens back to the 50's/60's. On top of that, Glen Danzig has some of the best male vocals ever, reminiscent of both Elvis and Jim Morrison.

That aside, the Misfits definitely aren't for everybody. If you like The Ramones' style of punk, then there's a chance you'll dig the Misfits. But even then, most people can't stomach the pervasive horror imagery. I've known several that have gotten into this album only to eventually discover that the lyrics are way too sick and twisted for their tastes. But anyone that enjoys Halloween and B-grade horror movies will likely be able to find amusement in the lyrics rather than out and out revulsion. I mean, it's essentially camp! With the right state of mind this is fun, fun stuff.

This collection is the best place to start if you're new to the Misfits. "Bullet" is absolutely essential. That one song can single handedly horrify any JFK-loving baby-boomer. A graphic and macabre re-imagining of the former president's assassination, "Bullet" is possibly the most irreverent song ever recorded. "Teenagers From Mars" is another essential Misfits track. Just TRY not to sing along as the pubescent Martians invade and subjugate the human race. (An alternate version can be found on the formidable "Static Age" LP but this one's the version to kill for.) "Where Eagles Dare" is instantly likeable and was my first favorite Misfits song, along with "Die, Die My Darling". "Mommy, Can I Go Out and Kill Tonight?", a song about a psycho killer that brings back body parts as souvenirs for his mother, rivals the flock for most demented lyrics. It's also the most hardcore song you'll ever want to hear (the live version on the "Walk Among Us" LP is riot-inducing).

The last five songs on this collection are from the "Earth A.D." LP, the final Misfits album that marks the point when Danzig starts taking himself and the band a little too seriously. As such these songs are not as fun as the ones that come before and nowhere near as melodic, but they aren't bad if you like hardcore punk.

I love the misfits as much as anyone else but I think we are doing potential customers a disservice by simply fawning all over this cd. The bottom line is the songs are good and the band is great but the quality of this cd reeks of "let's make a fast buck," mentality. First, there is no booklet contained with the cd. There is simply a few pages of credits and bad cover art. There are no lyrics, no pictures of the band, no history, nothing that you would expect or want in a compilation album. Secondly, there is no list of what albums the songs came from, when they were first performed, or how they affected the history of punk music. Thirdly, the quality of the recording is atrocious. Many of the songs are live and let's face it, the misfits are only good live if you are there, otherwise pass it up because Danzig's beautiful powerful voice is often totally covered up by the instruments and the lyrics are unintelligable. For the price this cd is brand new I cannot recommend it. If you are a dihard misfits fan you likely already have most of this music anyway so pass it up also.