FOR Shed Seven, absence has made the heart grow fonder.

Reforming with original guitarist Paul Banks late last year to play a series of reunion gigs over the festive period, the response was massive.

Such was the demand for tickets, extra dates were added and it turned into their biggest ever tour.

Dismissed throughout their career by a sneering music press as the unfashionable face of Britpop, the York group still recruited a loyal following. It's easy to forget that in 1996 they had more hits than any other band that year.

Their longevity and lovability is explained by this definitive 18-track collection of all their single releases, complemented by a second disc featuring previously unreleased recordings.

Whatever the relative merits of their albums, Shed Seven always produced great singles. They are stuffed with melodies, hooks and lyrics that stay in your head and guarantee you leave their gigs with sweat under your arms and a smile on your face.

Their optimistic song themes perfectly encapsulated the mood of the mid to late-1990s.

For new listeners to the Sheds' canon, there are the three singles to play first: Going For Gold, Chasing Rainbows and Disco Down. But don't stop there as live favourite On Standby, an underrated song from Maximum High, still sounds great, as does Getting Better and She Left Me On Friday.

Only Bully Boy hasn't aged particularly well and Why Can't I Be You? is the weakest track from their later albums.

The collection comes with a bonus CD containing a variety of B-sides and rarities. While only diehard fans will find it of particular interest, there are a few gems, not least Hanging On The Outside and Immobilise which could and should have at least graced an album.

Internet rumours abound that the lads are set to re-form properly to produce another album.

You just can't keep a good band down.