AMG Review of Hit List

Greg Prato
All Music Guide

Although advertised as Unwritten Law's first "best-of" compilation, 2006's The Hit List is, in reality, a 19-track collection that features 17 re-recordings of the group's best tracks, as well as a pair of new ditties for good measure. But this is probably the closest fans are going to get to any sort of "best of" by the band anytime soon, since Unwritten Law has bounced from label to label throughout their career (good luck trying to get all the labels to sit down and reach an agreement). With a sound that combines pop melodicism with a punk rush (think a slightly tougher/rougher Goo Goo Dolls), all of the fan favorites are included here -- "Superman," "Up All Night," "Celebration Song," "Cali Sky," and more. The Hit List manages to be a solid first purchase for the new Unwritten Law admirer, and since it's comprised of all new versions, it will grab the attention of longtime fans as well.