Guitar Wolf's reputation stems almost entirely from their spectacular live shows. Their recorded output is pretty crap, really, so the texture and variation in pace and mood brought by this collection serves to throw their music in the best possible light. J Mascis + The Fog's psychedelic, My Bloody Valentine-esque take on "Cyborg Kids" is the best track here, while The Wildhearts are as punchable as ever, even covering "Wild Zero". Of the two versions of "Kawasaki ZII750 Rock'n'Roll" on here, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's version is predictably the best, with their slower, funkier, sleazier approach, allowing Spencer the space he needs to do what he does best; grunting, panting, heavy breathing, and occasionally saying something like "My God!" or "Lemme tell ya baby!" or "Go!" or something. Whore that he is, Jim O'Rourke's rough and ready "Kaminari One" balances out Snuff's annoying power-harmonies, and ageing idol-duo Puffy's lo-fi "Can-nana Fever" gets the "best use of bongos" award.

That this tribute album is aimed primarily at the overseas market is evident both in the choice of artists and in the way that Puffy are endearingly referred to here as Puffy AmiYumi. Whether Guitar Wolf are really big enough (or, dare I say it, good enough?) to deserve tribute from such an array of luminaries is perhaps a matter of some debate, but there's a sense and logic to this compilation that at least justifies its existence as an introduction to the band for those looking to get their toes wet before taking the plunge. -Ian Martin, July.16.04

I Love Guitar Wolf... very much