Prefrab Sprout

Starting out in 1980 as an east England garage band, Prefab Sprout went on to record seven albums, The Collection being the eighth, a "best of" album including seven tracks previously unavailable in the United States. Fans and curious alike should take a look at this two-disc set.\nPrefab Sprout features Paddy McAloon on vocals, guitars and keyboards; Wendy Smith on vocals; Martin McAloon on bass and Neil Conti on drums. The four produce sounds typical of an 1980s band, but they combine elements to make rock 'n' roll of the '50s, '60s and '70s.\nBoth discs feature songs from all seven albums. Standout tracks on the first disc include "Lions In My Own Garden," the first single, sounding similar to the Clash, with the rhythm kept together by the guitar and drums and McAloon's soft, strong vocals. \n"Don't Sing" starts out with light guitar and leads into the recognizable twang of a harmonica. And when the drums start in and McAloon begins on the vocals, the song really starts rocking.\nThe mellow and seductive "Carnival 2000" has McAloon sounding sultry and jazzy before the music takes us into a conga line-like beat with trumpets, drums and assorted whistles. \nDisc one concludes with two of the seven tracks previously unavailable in the United States: "A Prisoner of the Past," which starts off with an impressive percussion and brass duet, and "Electric\nGuitars," which starts slow and melodic before moving into McAloon's subtle vocals. The latter song speaks of an amateur rock 'n' roll band's dream of becoming famous. \nDisc two starts out strong with "Cue Fanfare," with McAloon and Smith singing together, their sounds complementing each other perfectly. "Moving River" starts with McAloon's intensely quiet voice before Smith's background vocals make the transition to the meat of the song. The last song on disc two, "Where the Heart Is," shows the group's heart.\nThe album combines sounds of the Beatles and Oasis, but most of the sound is one of a kind. Prefab Sprout combines jazz and rock to make a "best of" CD that truly is the best.