Camper Van Beethoven Popular Songs Of Great Enduring Strength And Beauty CD

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the revered college-rock act Camper Van Beethoven issued this 18-track collection, which presents many of the band's finest tunes from its 1980s heyday. In addition to the proudly eclectic group's mid-`80s material, STRENGTH AND BEAUTY also includes five tracks from its late-`80s era (OUR BELOVED REVOLUTION SWEETHEART and KEY LIME PIE), albeit in defiantly re-recorded form, thanks to a dispute with its former label, Virgin. The quirky charm of David Lowery and company is fully evident on classic alt-rock tracks such as "Take the Skinheads Bowling," "Pictures of Matchstick Men," and "Eye of Fatima (Parts 1 & 2)." For those seeking a concise, well-selected introduction to CVB, this is it.

Personnel: Jonathan Segel (vocals, guitar, mandolin, violin, keyboards); Chris Molla, David Lowery (vocals, guitar); Mary O'Neil, Victor Krummenacher, Wally Sound (vocals); Greg Lisher (guitar); Crispy Derson, Frank Funaro (drums).

Illustrator: Michael S. Wertz.

Mojo (Publisher) (p.122) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[R]evel in the quintessentially quirky pop and folk musings that graced songs with titles like 'ZZ Top Goes To Egypt and 'The Day Lassie Went To The Moon.'"
Record Collector (magazine) (p.87) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]his collection reveals the band to be a solid American institution and shows that intelligent social commentary can be both fun and moving."