By the time I discovered Skunk Anansie and really got into them they had already broken up. Having since spoken to people who got to see them live I was always a little bit disappointed that I never got that opportunity. As seems to be the vogue however this year they have reformed and to mark this occassion this week they release what is essentially a greatest hits album. 'Smashes and Trashes' contains 12 of the best tracks from their three studio albums so far, along with three brand new tracks.I am not normally a fan of greatest hits albums. They are so often record company ploys to milk as much cash out of their bands as possible. Also deciding what songs should be on a bands greatest hits is a very subjective thing and I often find myself disagreeing with the tracks included. To be honest this album is no different, there are certainly tracks that I might have included that aren't present but then there are so many good tracks on the three Skunk Anansie albums that you have to leave some of them out. The reason I have picked this to be album of the week is more for what it represents than for the album itself. After all I already own all their albums and therefore the majority of the tracks on this album.
If you didn't hear Skunk Anansie first time round then this is definately a good place to start. First coming out in the mid-90's when britpop was at it's height they were often lumped in with that genre but their sound was definately a long way from the likes of Oasis and Blur. They were musically more influenced by metal and funk music making them more like a female fronted version of Rage Against The Machine. They always had a good balance on their albums between the hard hitting rock tracks, the riffy funk tracks and the mellow ballads and there are good examples of this on 'Smashes and Trashes'. Album opener "Charlie Big Potato", also the opener on 'Post Orgasmic Chill', is a fine way to start the album with it's gradual build up to a crunching lead riff. Songs like "Charity" and "I Can Dream" are more straight up rock songs whilst "Selling Jesus" shows off their metal and funk influences with it's crunching guitars and beat. The softer side of the band can be found on "Hedonism (Just Because It Feels Good)", an almost 80's style ballad or the string soaked "Secretly". Listening to this album has reminded me how much I loved all the Skunk Anansie albums and inspired me to go back to them and listen to them again.
So what about the new tracks? With rumours of a new album on the way in the not too distant future how has their sound changed and is a new album somthing to get excited about? "Tear The Place Up" is a good start with it's big riffs, big drums and seething vocals it shows they still have the ability to rock hard. "Because Of You" shows a much more gentle side with beautiful chiming guitars in the verses giving way to a soaring riff and pounding bassline in the chorus providing the backing for Skin's almost operatic vocals. Final new track "Squander" sees Skin in reflective mood with beautiful melodies and backed by strings. I have to say the new tracks have definately got me excited about the potential for the future. Skunk Anansie prove that they still have the ability to write great songs and that musically they still have all the energy and passion. "Because Of You" is a particular highlight and one of their finest songs.
I think the new songs alone make this album worthy of it's album of the week status. I would encourage anybody to check out Skunk Anansies old stuff if you haven't heard it before. If you have and you liked it then have a listen especially to the new tracks and join me in getting excited about what is to come!
Skunk Anansie – Smashes and Trashes - The Greatest Hits
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