Greatest Hits is the first compilation album released by punk rock band Half Japanese, in 1995. It features the lineups from all albums released by the band.

History

Half Japanese's Greatest Hits, which was the band's first compilation album, was released on March 13, 1995, after more than twenty years of activity as a band. By the time it came out, the band had gained an international fan base and it had already released thirteen studio albums; since the release of the compilation, there have been three more. Half Japanese would later release two more compilation albums.

Music

Greatest Hits is composed of two discs and it features at least one song from each album: from 1/2 Gentlemen/Not Beasts, with the band's original set, to Boo! Live in Europe 1992. The album features notable guests such as John Zorn and Eugene Chadbourne.

There are strong differences in the styles approached as well as the sound fidelity between the songs. It's possible to find noise and electronic tracks, such as the ones from 1/2 Gentlemen/Not Beasts; punk rock songs, like those from Charmed Life; experimental songs, such as those from The Band That Would Be King as well as more straightforward rock from other releases.

Critical reception

Ned Raggett from Allmusic gave the album 4.5 stars of 5 calling it the best way to start with Half Japanese given the scattered discography of the band. He praised the songs "King Kong," "Amazing Clock" and "Identical Twins" as well as "How to Play Guitar," which, according to him, makes for a great final touch.

The album was included in Blender's top 100 indie rock albums, where it was called "undeniably difficult and trium­phantly messy."

Track listing

Disc one

Disc two

Personnel

The people involved in the album are from the band's different lineups:

• Terry Adams – Piano
• Pippin Barnett – Drums
• Hank Beckmeyer – Bass, guitar, producer
• George Cartwright – Saxophone
• Eugene Chadbourne – Guitar, harmonica, vocals on "Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)"
• Byron Coley – Liner notes
• David Doris – Saxophone
• John Dreyfuss – Saxophone
• Rick Dreyfuss – Drums
• David Fair – Guitar, percussion, vocals, liner notes
• Jad Fair – Guitar, harmonica, vocals, producer
• Danny Finney – Saxophone
• Don Fleming – Guitar, vocals
• Tim Foljahn – Guitar
• Fred Frith – Guitar
• Mick Hobbs – Guitar
• Scott Jarvis – Drums
• Mark Jickling – Guitar
• Steve Johnson – Guitar
• Rob Kennedy – Bass
• Kramer – Organ, bass, guitar, keyboards, producer
• Eppo Krol – Producer
• Richard Labrie – Drums
• David Licht – Conga
• Joe Martinelli – Drums
• Lisa Mednick – Keyboards
• Gilles V. Rieder – Drums, producer
• Rebby Sharp – Guitar
• John Sluggett – Guitar
• Jay Spiegel – Drums
• Maureen Tucker – Drums, producer
• Jason Willett – Bass
• Gary Windo – Saxophone
• Howard Wuelfing – Bass
• Lana Zabko – Saxophone
• Don Zientara – Producer
• John Zorn – Saxophone

References