Reviewed by Ian Webber

After more than 15 years and eight studio albums, Bremerton's favourite sons probably deserve a collection such as this to be released. They have consistently shown themselves to be a credible voice in the crowded genre of punk rock that includes the likes of Blink 182 and Greenday. I would however contest whether this is really 'The Ultimate Collection' of their recordings. The quality of the songs amassed is not at fault and includes classics such as "Teenage Politics" and "Chick Magnet", both of which are played with the band's typical sense of urgency. There are also newer tracks like the exuberant "Secret Weapon" which is full of arresting hooks. The album however is not completely comprehensive, consisting mainly of recordings from their earlier years and a couple of more recent offerings. The period between 1997 and 2006 seems to have been overlooked. Any MxPx fan will probably have most of these songs in their original settings, many on the first disc were included in the 'Ten Years And Running' collection. Nevertheless, for a new listener, this disc would provide an excellent introduction to the punk stalwarts. It is also worth noting that this double album contains 23 tracks making it great value for money.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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