Universal Music 20th Century Masters (series)

The Best of Sublime

Product Description:

Sublime: Bradley Nowell (vocals, guitar); Eric Wilson (organ, bass); Bud Gaugh (drums).

Additional personnel: Gwen Stefani (vocals).

Producers: Miguel, Paul Leary, David Kahne.

Compilation producer: Beth Stempel.

Includes liner notes by Blaine Kaplan.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

This is part of MCA Records "20th Century Masters The Millenium Collection" series.

In something of a departure for the 20TH CENTURY MASTERS series, usually associated with classic pop performers, California ska-punk artists Sublime are here given the greatest hits treatment. A bridge between the late-1980s ska-punk revival and the later poppier efforts of acts such as Barenaked Ladies, the band split following the death of its singer Brad Nowell in 1996, but its influence and energy are still very much apparent in this collection.

With only three albums to choose from, the compilation's 10 tracks are a fairly comprehensive overview of Sublime's eight-year career. The proceedings kick off with "Date Rape," a lurid yet oddly perky number that recalls the early days of UK ska rockers the Specials, both musically and in its social commentary. The rest of the release skews towards the band's pop-reggae output, including "What I Got" and "Santeria." Devoid of the flashy production tricks of many of its peers, Sublime's punky California reggae party sound wears well, and this BEST OF... is a good entry point for further investigation.