Japanese noise-rock group
Melt-Banana
's manic avant-punk bursts are best enjoyed in small doses, so it's only natural that the group has released dozens of singles, EPs, and splits since forming in the early 1990s. 2005 collection
13 Hedgehogs
compiled 56 tracks (!) from five years' worth of releases, and the slightly shorter
Return of 13 Hedgehogs
compiles non-album output from the group's second decade, including tracks originally taken from split releases with
the Locust
,
Fantomas
Young Widows
, and even ska-punk band
Big D & the Kids Table
. This collection covers many facets of the band's sound, from the thrashing hardcore of "Dog in Lost" to the more angular "Puddle, Float" to turntable experiments "Quite Free" and "Grave in the Hole (Pitfall Fits a Bit)." There are even bizarre experiments with dub ("Capital 1060 Hospital") and ska ("Monkey Man"), as well as the Autotune-featuring pop-punk anthem "Love Song." The group also does a revved-up cover of
Devo
's "Uncontrollable Urge," which is otherwise relatively straightforward, unlike their shockingly mellow rendition of "We Will Rock You" from a 2002
Queen
tribute album, which is not included on this compilation.
is a gleefully sadistic blitzkrieg of hits, showcasing much of
's best material. ~ Paul Simpson