The Pursuit Of Happiness: Moe Berg, Kris Abbott (vocals, guitar); Leslie Stanwick, Renee Suchy, Rachel Oldfield, Tam Amabile, Tasha Amabile (vocals);
Johnny Sinclair, Brad Barker (bass); Dave Gilby (drums).
Producers include: Todd Rundgren.
Compilation producers: Kevin Flaherty, David Richman.
Recorded between 1986 & 1997. Includes liner notes by Moe Berg.
Digitally remastered by Elliott Federman (SAJE Sound, New York, New York).
Personnel: Moe Berg, Kris Abbott (vocals, guitar); Tam Amabile, Rachel Oldfield, Tasha Amabile (vocals); Dave Gilby (drums).
Audio Mixer: Todd Rundgren.
Sex & Food is a pretty satisfactory greatest hits album -- it features the Pursuit of Happiness' best and most successful tracks, but several submissions mar the album. Songs like "She's So Young," "Two Girls in One," "Hard to Laugh," "Cigarette Dangles," and their signature hit, "I'm an Adult Now," comprise about half of the collection. These cuts showcase the band's tight power-pop sound (that slowly drifted into hard rock connotations) as well as their self-deprecating, somewhat bitter, sexually frustrated (but humorous) lyrics. However, Sex & Food is ultimately representative of TPOH's uneven track record -- songs like "She's the Devil," "Nobody but Me," and "Let My People Go" were never stellar to begin with and just weigh down the album. The five previously unreleased tracks are decent, but they probably don't warrant repeated listening. The live version of "Food," arguably their most notoriously naughty song, is entertaining enough, but the studio version should have been included as well. Overall, though, Sex & Food is worthwhile for the casual fan who wants TPOH's biggest songs on one CD. ~ Gina Boldman minimize