upstarts re-released their original independent EP, , along with live tracks and remixes in the winter of 2001 as . The EP, which was originally released in 1997, paints a slightly different picture of the band. The songs are reminiscent of '90s groups like and , blending stronger melodies and catchier riffs than the material on . Especially good is the growling which sounds like singing for . The only real low point of the songs from the EP is a song that so blatantly rips off the chorus to 's that it only makes the song sound weak and sad. As far as the other songs, the two live tracks ( ) are almost exactly the same as the album versions, albeit murkier and longer. The two remixes of are nothing to write home about, with only the standing out as something significantly different from the original. Finally, the album ends with the 17-minute the full-length version of the bizarre that appears in clips on their major-label debut. The collage might be the best thing on the album, if only because it sounds very different and new compared to the other material. Fans may disagree, but this is essentially just as good as , if not better. The songs are all pretty solid; some of the better songs from that album even appear here anyway. Anyone looking to get into this band might as well start here; it showcases several different aspects of their music and their songwriting may have even been a bit stronger before the major labels came knocking. ~ Bradley Torreano