compiles 's entire body of recordings on a single compact disc. , as a rule, wasn't particularly musically diverse, but were one of the genre's groundbreaking acts and their music has held up better than most of their contemporaries. As the de facto leaders of the Washington, D.C., scene, the band pioneered the mentality by emphasizing impossibly fast tempos, brief songs, political lyrics, and a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle. Besides setting the precedent for several generations of punk rockers with their music and ideals, were simply a better band than most groups. They had a tight, distinctive sound that wasn't as heavy as their Californian counterparts and, therefore, were often more bracing and effective. Although some of the music on , like much of in general, hasn't aged particularly well -- with its cheap production, rigid song structures, and political concerns, it is very much a piece of the early '80s -- the sound remains invigorating; the band possessed a visceral energy matched by only a handful of their peers. , in fact, is not only one of the cornerstones of any collection, it's not a bad way to become acquainted with . ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine