THE INVINCIBLE SPIRIT ANTHOLOGY 1984-2004 COMPILATION ENDLESS RELEASE: NOVEMBER 22, 2004 REVIEW: FEBRUARY 14, 2005

Now here's a band I'm very surprised to see releasing a best of. These guys had numerous club hits from their albums played heavily on both sides of the Atlantic many years ago, especially with "Push". Which still, for some odd reason makes me want to wriggle like a worm on the end of a hook. Their viscerally direct approach of solid basslines and colourful chorus backgrounds did indeed impress many. But I do remember thinking at the time "it sounds good now, will it sound good down the line?"
No, this band does not sound very good at all in 2005. Their new song "Mon-Key" is no reason to buy this album, either. It sounds much like their older work, which just won't do. "Extramarital Escapade" is a cute title but the music is stale, as are a number of other tracks on this anthology. The music is just too fixed in it's approach, there aren't any moments where you can say "wow, I didn't see that one coming".
This by-the-numbers predictability dooms The Invincible Spirit to wallow in the glories of yesteryear. Bands have to evolve in order to survive and this act seems to have little intention of doing so.

PETER MARKS