Critic's Review
Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
Really, after a while it just gets annoying -- if not downright frustrating. How is it that a band like Bad Manners with a slew of hits to their name and a 20-plus-year career is so poorly served in the compilation stakes? There's the British two-CD set, but at 40 dollars plus international shipping, that puts it beyond many fans' pockets. Why is there nothing for American fans? The Collection at least offers a small plug in this large gap. At the time of release it was most welcome, even if it contained a mere 12 tracks. The majority of the songs were indeed big British hits -- "Lip up Fatty," "Special Brew," "My Girl Lollipop," and "Can Can" were smashes one and all, and even those that weren't, like "Sally Brown" and "Bonanza Ska," are welcome additions.
However, not all the numbers come in their original studio state; half were recorded live and culled from the 1987 U.K. Live and Loud! album. Since its initial release Live and Loud! has been reissued under a variety of titles by other foreign labels, but this was these songs' first appearance in the U.S.
Most of Bad Manners' music remains unavailable domestically, so The Collection remains a decent starting place for new fans. Everyone else will just have to save their pennies and buy from abroad.
However, not all the numbers come in their original studio state; half were recorded live and culled from the 1987 U.K. Live and Loud! album. Since its initial release Live and Loud! has been reissued under a variety of titles by other foreign labels, but this was these songs' first appearance in the U.S.
Most of Bad Manners' music remains unavailable domestically, so The Collection remains a decent starting place for new fans. Everyone else will just have to save their pennies and buy from abroad.
