THIS is the first compilation to encompass the punk legends' careers on both EMI and BMG: 21 classic tracks spanning 30 years with various line-ups.

From Get A Grip and Something Better Change in the beginning, through Always The Sun and Skin Deep in the middle years, to Big Thing Coming in 2004, the complete hits are present.

Diehards should probably wait for the new studio album in September, because this latest compilation has only half a dozen different tracks to the recent Peaches (The Very Best Of).

It's sad to see a band of such standing releasing what must be their seventh or eight retrospective. Come on boys, don't always take the easy way out when you have so much talent to offer.

Terry Ruane