Snap
In the days before reissue specialist labels and so-called Catalog Development departments at major record companies, 'best of' albums were just another duty for the record company staff. More often than not, greatest hits albums were lackluster slap-dash affairs that came and went. A rare few rose above and took a life of their own: Bob Marley Legend. Steve Miller Band Greatest Hits. Squeeze Singles - 45s and Under. Long overlooked for that list is The Jam's Snap!An expertly assembled double-album collection of all of the band's single A-sides with select B-sides, album tracks and rarities, Snap! was a fitting summation of Britain's biggest band at the time. As a bonus, the album's first British pressing came with a free 4-song EP from The Jam's farewell concert at London's Wembley Arena in December 1982.As the world rushed to adopt the new CD format in the mid-1980s, Snap! was gutted to a strict singles collection. A shadow of its former self, Snap! withered, replaced by subsequent retrospectives.21 years on, Hip-O Select proudly reissues the original Snap!: The full 29 song track list, including the four UK #1s -- "Going Underground," "Start!,""Town Called Malice" and "Beat Surrender" -- fan favorite b-sides and album tracks, including "The Butterfly Collector," "English Rose," "Thick As Thieves" and "Tales From The Riverbank"; plus the exclusive remix of "Funeral Pyre" and the "That's Entertainment" demo. Also included -- for the first time on CD -- is the rare Live! EP: "Move On Up," "Get Yourself Together," "The Great Depression" and "But I'm Different Now." The original packaging -- from the custom inner sleeves to Paolo Hewitt's liner notes -- has been restored, augmented by lyrics to each song. The renewed Snap! is a brilliant reminder of why The Jam are among Britain's most revered and beloved bands.