Stiff Little Fingers - Anthology

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Free Music Notes for Anthology

Free Music Review: I don't just hand out five star ratings...
Hit: 5 Stars

For those who are unacquainted, the Fingers formed in 1977 in Belfast, an Irish city torn apart by political turmoil. The Fingers took the Sex Pistols' theoretical anarchist viewpoint and went them one further, applying practical politics to their songs. Whereas Johnny Rotten was wailing somewhat vaguely about Anarchy in the U.K., Jake Burns was making real sense and espousing serious subversive politics in songs like Suspect Device and Alternative Ulster. The Fingers were, to my mind, the first incarnation of the full-fledged socio-political punk band. And their stuff is golden.

Nothing can touch vintage SLF. Wasted Life, Gotta Getaway, At the Edge, Nobody's Hero...these songs are immortal. Frank and outspoken, with a serious message to offer anyone who listens...not to mention full-on punk rock power. Stripped to the bare bones, this stuff will blow your mind AND your speakers.

That's what you'll find on Disc One and the first half of Disc Two...every single and every b-side from the early days of SLF. The band split somewhat unpleasantly in 1983...but by 1987, they were at it again...reunited and touring, much to the delight of their fans. In 1991, they released their first album as the new incarnation of SLF...Flags and Emblems. This album contained the now infamous single Beirut Moon, immediately banned in Britain for its severe criticism of the British government, who refused to intervene and rescue English journalists who were being held hostage in Lebanon. Beirut Moon is, of course, included on Disc Two of this set, and is one of the band's finest songs. It certainly established that they were back, and back for good. Other highlights from the latter SLF catalogue include Can't Believe In You, Shake It Off, and Harp, the tale of an Irish immigrant in America...another of the band's best songs to date. These songs are more mature in their lyrical sensibilities, while retaining the feeling that is classic SLF.

Then there's Disc Three...a selection of some great Fingers tunes performed live at Brixton Academy. These include some songs which are featured on the previous discs, as well as others which were never released as singles or b-sides, such as Love of the Common People, Fly the Flag, Barbed Wire Love, and their great cover of the old Irish folk tune, the Wild Rover. All in all, a great live set which would be worth buying on its own. And the Fingers are amazing live, so you definitely get what you pay for with this.

All told, this is an incredible collection of songs from some true punk rock pioneers. These guys have had a strong influence on a lot of bands who have come since, but they haven't really gotten the recognition they deserve. This collection is a goldmine for the die-hard SLF fan, and if you've just started to get into the band, I can't think of a better way to jump-start your Fingers collection. This is, and I'm sure that it always will be, the most complete Fingers anthology available. It's not just a bunch of songs thrown together and marketed to the people who happen to know who this little Irish punk outfit are. It's a musical history of one of the greatest punk bands ever. And it's pure gold, from the first track to the last. This set has my highest recommendation. Any fan of serious socio-political punk is guaranteed to love it.

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