U.K.-based, vaguely psychedelic and always atmospheric
indie rock
outfit the
Coral
hit the bulls eye on their Mercury nominated, full-length 2002 eponymous debut (they even got press across the pond), and through four more albums, all of which were at the very least decent, they earned themselves a respectable place in post-
Brit-pop
infamy. The
, like the
Kaiser Chiefs
, have always been more of a singles band, which makes the appropriately titled
Singles Collection
such a treat. The jangly '60s-inspired
pop
nuggets that graced the group's debut (
"Dreaming of You,"
"Goodbye"
) still pack the most punch, but by cherry-picking tracks from later releases like
Magic and Medicine
(
"Don't Think You're the First"
),
Invisible Invasion
"In the Morning"
), and
Roots & Echoes
"Put the Sun Back"
), as well as including a whole second disc of (admittedly hit or miss) singles and live tracks, they've managed to craft their most enjoyable release yet. ~ James Christopher Monger