Killing Joke - For Beginners

This compilation gets its material from the years the band was on the EG label (1979-1988). Like many of the acts on the label (i.e. King Crimson, Roxy Music) KJ was an iconoclastic unit with arty pretensions. Unlike any of the acts on EG, it was utterly incorrigible, and in terms of aggression unmatched.

This album is great for completist collectors, but really provides at best a mediocre introduction to KJ for the new listener. I completely ignores some of their biggest tracks, such as Wardance, Love Like Blood and the now classic Eighties (whose guitar riff Kurt Cobain would recycle wholesale for Nirvana's Come as You Are several years later). It also makes mention of the universally panned Outside the Gate album ( a release even KJ frontman Jaz Coleman disowns), and ignores the four critically excellent albums made after EG, including last years brilliant self-titled album featuring Dave Grohl on drums.

It does have some great extra tracks, such as the live version of Fall of Because and several other tracks never released on cd, or remixed with improved dynamics. One can see how so many bands have claimed KJ as an influence: Nirvana, NIN, Godflesh, Sarah MacLachlin, Metallica and Helmet among them. For a good intro to KJ, pick up two albums, Laugh? I nearly Bought One! and any of the last 3 releases, and you are on your way to a healthy dose of excellent musicialship, unbridled aggression, and apocalyptic sonic fury.