Warrant Then And Now CD

Sanctuary's 2004 compilation Then and Now isn't strictly telling the truth in its title, which implies that the disc has highlights from Warrant during its prime and some new songs from the current incarnation of the band. In actuality, it's a compilation from three albums the band released on CMC International in the mid- to late '90s -- the studio albums Ultraphobic (1995) and Belly to Belly (1996) and 1997's Warrant Live 1986-1997, which, contrary to its title, does not have a selection of highlights from 1986 to 1997 but instead captures a concert the reunited Warrant gave at Detroit's legendary Harpo's on November 22, 1996. In other words, not really the prime of Warrant then, and not a picture of Warrant now. It's hard to tell who would want this collection -- surely, the hardcore will already own everything here, and those casual fans in the market for a compilation would certainly prefer 1996's The Best of Warrant, which features original recordings and none of the clunky mid-'90s alt-metal that litters this compilation. But if you're looking for Warrant: The Best of the CMC Years, Studio and Live, this would serve your needs. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Photographer: Glen LaFerman.

Warrant: Jani Lane (vocals); Erik Turner (guitar); Jerry Dixon (bass guitar).

Recording information: Complex (11/22/1996); Dreamstate Productions (11/22/1996); Harpo's Music Theatre, Detroit, MI (11/22/1996); One On One Studios (11/22/1996).