The Rembrandts' Danny Wilde and Phil Solem may have provided the world with one of the most excruciatingly catchy theme songs in the history of television ("I'll Be There for You"), but the Los Angeles-based duo were capable of writing some top-notch adult alternative/jangle pop as well. This excellent overview from Rhino features 20 original cuts -- do not confuse this Greatest Hits collection with 2005's re-recorded Choice Picks anthology -- including two culled from their original incarnation as Great Buildings. While the group did actually exist before Friends -- their 1990 debut boasted the Top 20 smash "Just the Way It Is, Baby" -- it took a sitcom about a bunch of New York City twentysomethings to give the band a place in popular culture. "I'll Be There for You" was originally a 45-second soundbite attributed to five co-writers, and it wasn't until a Nashville DJ looped the cut into a three-minute song -- prompting a flurry of requests -- that the studio asked the duo to record an extended version. What followed was both an albatross and a blessing, providing the group with a sizable income but hindering their attempts at getting anything else across to the public. ~ James Christopher Monger
Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.
Liner Note Author: John Borack.
Recording information: A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA (03/1990); Animal Shelter, Minneapolis, MN (03/1990); Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA (03/1990); Chateau Recorders (03/1990); Cherokee studios (03/1990); Compass Pointe Studios, Nassau, Bahamas (03/1990); Dan's Garage, Ventura, CA (03/1990); Funkytown Studios, Minneapolis, MN (03/1990); Master Control Studios, Burbank, CA (03/1990); Phil's Lair, Minneapolis, MN (03/1990); Pueblo Sound, Thousand Oaks, CA (03/1990); Rumbo Recorders, Canoga Park, CA (03/1990); Stagg St. Studios, Van Nuys, CA (03/1990); SubJersey, Minneapolis, MN (03/1990); The Barn, Los Angeles, CA (03/1990); The Power Bowl, Los Angeles, CA (03/1990); The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA (03/1990); Westlake Audio (03/1990).
Photographer: Michael Linssen.
Personnel: Phil Solem (vocals, guitar); Danny Wilde (vocals, harmonica, keyboards, percussion); Ian Ainsworth (vocals, keyboards); Dorian Crozier (vocals, drums, percussion); Graham Edwards (vocals); Joe Englund, Michael Severens (cello); David Zeman (accordion, Wurlitzer organ, synthesizer); Danny Tate (accordion); Kim Bullard (clarinet); Michael Ramos (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Marc Johnson (double bass); Richard Sandford, Pat Mastelotto (drums, percussion); Jon Niefeld (drums); Phil & Debi Jones (percussion); Lauren Christy (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Gavin MacKillop; Chuck Zwicky; Danny Wilde.
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