Beyond & Back: The X Anthology (CD - 1997)

X includes: Exene Cervenka, John Doe, Billy Zoom, Dave Alvin, Tony Gilkyson, D.J. Bonebrake.

Producers include: X, Michael Wagener, Don Gilmore, Dave Jerden, John Doe, Tony Berg.

Includes liner notes by Travis Dickerson.

X cannot be praised enough. The legendary L.A. band wrote countless classics, released consistent albums, and have influenced many along the way (just check out the raves fellow rockers give the band in Beyond & Back's liner notes). It's a testament to their greatness that the material on Beyond & Back: The X Anthology sounds original and fresh in the present day. The group touched on many styles, such as rockabilly, folk, and punk, and successfully made each one their own. This two-CD release is a hefty two hours long, and is 50 percent hits and 50 percent rarities/unreleased material (demos, outtakes, live takes, etc.). Highlights include the riff-heavy "Hungry Wolf," the beautiful vocal harmonies of "I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts," and the Nirvana pop of "White Girl." Some interesting oddities include a cover of the Doors' "Soul Kitchen," a remixed version of their "Blue Spark," and a live take of "Nausea" (a song Jane's Addiction covered). If you're unfamiliar with (or don't own) X's albums, do yourself a favor and get Under the Big Black Sun, More Fun in the New World, and Los Angeles/Wild Gift. Then work your way to Beyond & Back. You won't regret it. ~ Greg Prato

More than a simple greatest hits, BEYOND AND BACK is a 2 CD-collection featuring plenty of unreleased material, live recordings (of varying quality) and examples of the various phases X has gone through over the course of their career. Although Exene Cervenka and John Doe's contributions continually stand out, much of X's spark came from Billy Zoom's powerful rockabilly riffs ("The World's A Mess; It's In My Kiss") and DJ Bonebrake's pounding percussive style ("Hungry Wolf"). As time passed and X's primal sound evolved, their music reflected more of a populist slant. This philosophical exploration manifested itself in both their country alter-ego The Knitters (represented by "Someone Like You" and "Call Of The Wreckin' Ball") and later material that leaned more towards Woody Guthrie than Sid Vicious ("See How We Are," "4th Of July").

Doe and Cervenka's personal relationship eventually foundered back in the mid-80's. Their musical collaboration, however, remained fresh right up until X's last album, 1994's live UNCLOGGED. The inclusion of "Burning House Of Love" from that record makes the case for X's collaborative core being punk's answer to George Jones and Tammy Wynette. minimize