Greatest Hits is the first compilation album released by the punk rock band Half Japanese, in 1995. It includes the line ups 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 later released two more compilation albums.
Music Greatest Hits is two discs and has 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 as well as the sound fidelity between the songs. It is 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 All songs written by Jad Fair unless indicated.
Disc A
Disc B
Personnel The people involved in the album are from the band's different line ups: Terry Adams – piano Pippin Barnett – drums Hank Beckmeyer – bass guitar, 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 guitar Kramer – organ, bass guitar, 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 guitar Gary Windo – saxophone Howard Wuelfing – bass guitar Lana Zabko – saxophone Don Zientara – producer John Zorn – saxophone
References