Mansun – Before The Grey Lantern

Blurb: A "comprehensive" collection of pre-Attack of the Grey Lantern era Singles and B-Sides.

Not exactly, Mansun released a huge number of tracks during their lifespan. A single-LP doesn't have the space to collect every b-side released prior to Grey Lantern in early 1997. So I understand why cuts had to be made. There isn't quite enough for a 2xLP set but there's too much for a single LP.

Not counting live or acoustic versions, here's what's missing:

1) Thief (from One EP), no great surprise here, Paul hates this one.
2) Hidden Bonus Track (from One EP), really just a sketch, no great loss
3) An Open Letter to a Lyrical Trainspotter (from Stripper Vicar), it's a hidden track on Grey Lantern so it was probably omitted for that reason, but that does it a disservice, it's one of their very best.
4) The Dutchess (from Stripper Vicar), one of their weaker songs, the lyrics aren't funny or interesting enough.
5) The Gods of Not Very Much (from Wide Open Space), one of my favourites.
6) Vision Impaired (from Wide Open Space), began life as a pre-Mansun Grind track, glammed up into a fine Mansun song.

Six tracks (there's that number again) aren't included, while the first 4 are understandable omissions, the other two are as good or better than many included.

Comprehensive isn't the word i'd use.

The sheer quality of the songs is simply amazing. Mansun is truly one of the best bands when it comes to B-sides, there are lots of them and all are superb. Other bands wish their hits/album tracks would be this good. A great compilation.

Nice polylined sleeve , flat , not too expensive and Manun are one of the great b sides bands so great music too