This collection of songs still amazes me--it sounds like it's still the music of the future, 19 years after its original release! The musical influences on the Associates are the least obvious on this collection of songs--maybe a dash of Kraftwerk here, and a little dab of Joy Division there, but not much else. A MUST for any lover of the post-punk music that still sounds innovative today (think PIL's "Second Edition"). And the 5 bonus tracks (b sides & unreleased) are fantastic too. Any fan of Belle & Sebastian should be intrigued to hear the kind of music their teacher, Alan Rankine, was creating when they were practically still in diapers!