Released on the heels of their marginally successful International Pop Overthrow LP, this single sees Material Issue present some of their catchiest early Brit-pop-styled hits with plenty of flair and a knack for memorable choruses. "Diane," which opens the four-song disc as well as closes it in... [+] Expand

Released on the heels of their marginally successful International Pop Overthrow LP, this single sees Material Issue present some of their catchiest early Brit-pop-styled hits with plenty of flair and a knack for memorable choruses. "Diane," which opens the four-song disc as well as closes it in a live reworking, is a rollicking pop number in the spirit of early Teenage Fanclub and likewise marginal pop-breakthrough artists. It's actually a great tune, simple and to the point, and while it may not affect your life, odds are it will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Of course if you listen to the remainder of the disc, the group's almost hit, "Valerie Loves Me," will probably take top honors as being the most memorable; and though it is presented here only in a live version, it still deserves accolades. This is classic early-'90s alterna-pop, and more than any particular artist, it is countless pseudo hits like these that earned their own moments in the sun and left their indelible mark on radio listeners eager for an upbeat song and a witty lyric. Also included on the disc is "Cowboy Song" (not to be confused with the Faith No More track of the same name), but it is really just a B-side dud compared to the impressive company it's in. Material Issue never really rose to the top, but this concentrated blast of hits is a strong argument for that fact that any respect they are given is actually deserved, and it is a nice reminder of the group's brief stint on modern rock radio. ~ Peter J. D'Angelo, All Music Guide [-] Collapse

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