Best Of Shriekback, The [Remaster]

Dive we must -- once again -- into the unforgivingly choppy waters of Shriekback's catalog repackaging. Their 1982-1983 tenure on Y is summarized with Castle's The Y Records Years, an excellent compilation of their earliest and arguably best output. Covering Tench, Care, and roughly a half-dozen singles, the band's sixth (yes -- sixth) compilation falls favorably in the indispensable category. However, discographical confusion is all but inevitable when a band's compilations begin to outnumber the studio recordings, and Shriekback is no exception. The track listing of disc one is exactly the same as The Best of Shriekback: The Infinite, which was issued in 1987 on Kaz; it's also exactly the same as the first half of Essential's later Natural History, marking the second time this 11-song sequence has been recycled under a new title. (And if that's not confusing enough, the cover shot of the band is taken from the back cover of The Best of Shriekback, Vol. 2: Evolution). The second disc plugs some of the gaps, digging deeper in Tench and Care material, also adding B-sides from the singles of this period, which will definitely appeal to longtime fans. Due to its depth, the second half isn't nearly as strong as the first, so 1994's Natural History might actually be a better introduction since it also covers the fruitful Arista phase of the group. If there's trouble locating it, as there should be, this should do just fine as a substitute; the sound is excellent, as is the overall package. Along with A Certain Ratio, Shriekback made some truly spectacular and haunting dance music for party phobes; much of their best work is right here. ~ Andy Kellman|