STACK #242 December 2024

MUSIC FEATURE

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In a tradition that dates back to the 1950s, Christmas is the perfect time for picking up a greatest hits compilation for friends and family. And in 2024, that remains the same. Now feast your eyes on these four rippers that make ideal presents for under the tree. Words Paul Jones, Amy Flower V I N Y L V I T A L

NO DOUBT THE SINGLES 1992-2003 (2024 REISSUE) 180G BLACK VINYL (INCLUDES LYRIC BOOKLET) A masterclass in genre-hopping virtuosity, No Doubt’s The Singles 1992-2003 is a slick time capsule of 15 ska-punk pop hits. From the ceaseless bounce of Just a Girl to the melancholic sheen of Underneath It All , the band’s boundless energy and Gwen Stefani’s soaring vocals still sound fresh all

MARIAH CAREY #1’S (1998) (METALLIC SILVER/BLACK SWIRL VINYL)

COLD CHISEL 50 YEARS - THE BEST OF (2024) (JB HI-FI EXCLUSIVE GOLD VINYL) Cold Chisel celebrate their 50th this year with the release of this cracking double album. East opener Standing on the Outside is a great place to start, as the first disc delivers belter after belter – Cheap Wine , When the War Is Over , My Baby , Choirgirl … Disc two kicks off with debut single Khe Sanh , which hits as hard today as it did the first time we heard it. TOP TRACK: Star Hotel FAST FACT: Formidable live, over the years, Cold Chisel have justifiably released a total of nine albums, capturing them in the wild.

AVRIL LAVIGNE GREATEST HITS (2024) NEON GREEN VINYL Lavigne’s Greatest Hits is a sonic reminder of her impact on pop-punk. Tracks like Complicated and Sk8er Boi still resonate, and even her later work showcases her evolution as an artist. This greatest hits compilation showcases Lavigne’s enduring appeal and her ability to craft catchy, rebellious anthems. TOP TRACK: Sk8er Boi FAST FACT: Avril Lavigne signed her first record contract aged just 16.

The aptly titled #1 ’s takes 13 of Mariah’s US number ones – a huge feat – from the first ten years of Mariah’s career and adds what were four new tracks at the time. Here, fans of Ms. Carey are in for classic banger after classic banger, from the debut album quadruple chart topping run of Vision of Love, Love Takes Time, Someday , and I Don’t Wanna Cry , right up to My All , from 1997’s Butterfly album. TOP TRACK: I’ll Be There FAST FACT: Annual Yuletide signpost All I Want for Christmas didn’t make the cut, for at release time of #1 ’s it had only reached number six in the US. The song didn’t actually hit the top until 2019.

these decades later.. TOP TRACK: Don’t Speak

FAST FACT: No Doubt were going to record a version of INXS’ Don’t Change for the album before settling on Talk Talk’s It’s My Life .

16 AUGUST 2024

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