Why Couldn't Things Just Stay The Same?

California's Autocollants compiled their greatest "hits" in 1999, after having disbanded a few years earlier. The indie pop quartet had flourished in the southern California pop scene in 1996 and 1997 and began Shelflife Records along the way. With releases on labels such as Rover Records, Tinseltone, Drive-In, Cher Doll, and Shelflife, the band had many blissful pop gems to chose from while compiling this disc. Most of the tracks are relaxed, dreamy indie pop, with Laura Watling's vocals leading the way. Guitar, bass, drums, synthesizers, trumpets, tambourine, and keyboards also find their way onto the 13-track disc. "Candy Coated Kisses," "Four and a Half," and "Apple Vines" are definite highlights, incorporating lively pop tones and summery instrumentation. The lyrics are often bittersweet commentaries on simple themes. The disc includes a sample of previously released material, as well as three new tracks: "We Can't Have it All," "Another Thursday," and "Beyond the Reef." "Trio" was re-recorded especially for Why Couldn't Things Just Stay the Same?. Ed Mazzucco and Tim Morris perform most of the guitar work, while Dwayne Palasek adds subtle drums throughout. Jon Chaikin guests on guitar on three tracks. ~ Stephen Cramer