Super Furry Animals - 'Songbook The Singles: Volume 1' (Sony) Released 04/10/04

Well, they would never be so ordinary as to bring out a greatest hits album would they? So instead we have something much more special and much more valuable.

The Singles: Volume One not only gets you all excited about Volume Two but also reinforces the fact that the Super Furry Animals are the best British band of our generation. Here, the Welsh wonders weave together some of the best musical gems that they have created over the years. With the singles on this collection dating back to ‘Something For The Weekend’ in 1996 (a single that pretty much cemented the great anthems that the Super Furries have become renowned for writing).

All the greats are on this, it makes Gigwise.com want to cry with happiness just looking at the track list - no really. From the steel drums of ‘Northern Lights’ to the outrageous genius of ‘The Man Don’t Give A ****’ there is so much to love, to dance to, to reminisce over and to be puzzled about. True to their patriotic nature there are two welsh language tracks featured. One taken from the popular welsh language ‘Mwng’ album, ‘Ysbeidau Heulog’, and ‘Blerwytirhwng’ from 1998’s album ‘Out Spaced’.

The more recent singles that feature on the album include ‘Golden Retriever’ (2003) and ‘(Drawing) Rings Around The World’ (2001), both have helped SFA become more mainstream, not something that they were specifically looking for, but the general public have become more and more aware of the talents of SFA and in turn have lapped up their latest releases.

The singles aren't listed in chronological order but represent the progression of the band. The techno pop which they have become world famous for is not the only genre that they do well and this it's proved here. With 2001’s ‘Juxtaposed With U’  and 1999’s bitter sweet ballad ‘Fire In My Heart’ the Super Furries have time and time again re-establish that they can pretty much turn their hand to anything and come out looking like Kings of the world.

I guess when writing a review on something that is so special and so well crafted there is only one piece of advice to give and that is that you should give a **** and you should GO AND BUY IT NOW quickly, we have ways of making you think you know…