Belly - 'Sweet Ride (The Best Of)' (4AD)
4/5
By: Toby L
Belly are one of those unfortunate to get lost within the gap that exists between 'legendary' and just merely 'notable', a group that you'll remember when you hear the vibrant pop-rock of 'Feed The Tree' starting up, or a band that you'll only recall when someone taps you on the shoulder and reminds you that Tanya Donelly, ex of The Throwing Muses and early-day Breeders, sang and played guitar for the quartet.
... Couple all this with the fact that they're an act which managed to sell a couple of million records along the way during their short outing with fame during the early-90s, and it's a surprise to consider people's negligence to Belly's achievements. But, file alongside each other eighteen of their past glories, and the reflecting of such gross injustices are instead swapped for a celebration of such talent having existed.
Virtually pinpointing an entire era in modern-rock music, via their revved-up hooks, unashamed, exposed vocals and dynamic melodies - and the odd Pixies sound-a-like moment here and there, of course - it's baffling to note just how the four individuals concerned with the enterprise were able to produce a sound still being used ten years after their disappearance. With the moody opener of 'Spaceman' - one of the many staggering b-sides on-show - Donelly allows her throaty presence to soar mid-way during its running-time and the effect is compelling, let alone the band's Hendrix cover of 'Are You Experienced?', a brave and successful reworking, Tom Gorman's guitar-work worthy of a medal.
Also amongst the meaty collection are such gems as a live-number, the particularly full-throttle 'Dusted', and the hooks-laden charmer which comprises 'Seal My Fate', possibly the act's finest, if forgotten, endeavour. As if this wasn't enough, there's even a couple of previously unreleased wonders - the more involving 'Lilith' specifically serving up as a towering piece of touching indie, with its aloof six-strings, tame bass of Gail Greenwood (original bassist Fred Abong's replacement) and precision drumming, courtesy of Gorman's highly-capable brother, Tom.
In full, much like the members behind the music themselves, this collection of unlikely anthems is a refreshing and valid reminder of golden days gone past. 'I lost the plot,' Tanya may remark within one of this LP's many informed set of lyrics - yet if this was made in regards to Belly's output, she couldn't be further from the truth. Their presence with us may have been a brief one, but these are alt-gems at their sparkling best.
Artists in this article: Belly
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