Reviewed by Mark Falla

It's hard to believe this is "just" a bunch of demos etc that had remained unrecorded. Lesser mortals would have given their right arm for some of the guitar work and tunes. As it is, let us be thankful for Sticks and Stones and enjoy. The material is pretty varied, as you'd expect from such a collection. There is rock and roll ("Perfect Blues") pop ("MT") poignant songs ("Don't, This Way") all played with a real understanding of studio production? obvious the standard rock format. The songs remind you of less obvious R.E.M. and a tougher sounding Byrds. Ex-Byrd Chris Byrd actually pops up on "The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes And The Pride Of Life" Some of the songs could have done with editing such as "Pearls Before Swine" which is more of?? Four extra tracks are included on the CD (only previously released on an obscure Mike Roe EP) which are alternate versions of songs off "The 77s." As an introduction to the band though this is as good as any.

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