George Best

AMG Review of George Best

Nitsuh Abebe
All Music Guide

This huge collection summarizes the early portion of the Wedding Present's career, the C-86 era of jangly, revved-up indie pop. The release compiles the band's first album and its first two singles ("Nobody's Twisting Your Arm" and "Why Are You Being So Reasonable Now?") -- 23-tracks' worth of the hyper pop the band is known for. Apart from the dark and majestic Seamonsters, George Best is easily the best possible introduction to the band's work; it's also a fine introduction to the entire C-86 scene that's had such an impact on British rock. It would be impossible to name the "standout" tracks, since the band's strength lies in the fact that every tune is so solid: it should suffice to mention "Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft," "My Favourite Dress," "Anyone Can Make a Mistake," a cover of the Beatles' "Getting Better," and a French version of "Why Are You Being So Reasonable Now?" (the last two featuring Heavenly/Talulah Gosh singer Amelia Fletcher) -- then remember that nearly every song in the Wedding Present catalog is just as good as those that have been picked out as singles. This here is a definite classic.