New Found Glory - Hits

Band: New Found Glory
Album: Hits
Genre: Pop-Punk
Label: Geffen

Tracks:
1. Situations
2. Hit Or Miss
3. Dressed To Kill
4. My Friend's Over You
5. Head on Collision
6. Understatement
7. All Downhill From Here
8. I Don't Wanna Know
9. Failure's Not Flattering
10. It's Not Your Fault
11. Hold My Hand
12. Constant Static

Is it bad that I feel old when bands I grew up with have greatest hits albums? I mean, when Blink 182 released theirs in 2006, I felt like the era of reckless, care-free fun was coming to an end because that which had served as a soundtrack to those events was over. However, this isn't entirely true as New Found Glory is no where near an end to their career, but simply a summary of their career thus far. "Hits," which just came out on March 18th, chronicles the bands 11 year career through 11 tracks, but in true greatest hits form, contains 2 rare tracks as well [to draw in those who don't see the point in buying compilations from artists they love]. My thoughts on this however are not about if I need to purchase this, but whether or not there was a need for a band Like New Found Glory to release a compilation.

"Hits," like many other best-of releases plays like the accompaniment to to young love and youthful angst. The opener and first "new" track, "Situations," is nothing spectacular and pretty common for a NFG song. The song enters with a teasing, breakdown-esque moments before going into true pop punk form. It's nothing new from the band, but surely something any old fans would appreciate. After that, we start into the history with, "Hit or Miss," the original single from, "Nothing Gold Can Stay." It's awesome when these albums goes in order of release because we have the ability to watch a band mature in the course of 46min. as opposed to many years. The songs rough sounds play as groundwork for the songs that build throughout the album. It isn't until the 4th track that we find the breakthrough single, "My Friend's Over You," which remains NFG's biggest commercial hit. It was released on the now gold certified, "Sticks and Stones," and brought the band into the pop punk scene through tours on Warped Tour and with then megastars Blink-182. The album doesn't really have any surprises, though it claims to be chosen by the band. If there was a video for the song [with the exception of, "Kiss Me"] it's most likely on here. You hear the same emo pop punk move from fast and heavy, to the lighter sounds of, "It's Not Your Fault," and it all seems to flow like water. The album concludes with the b-side, "Constant Static," which has floated around for a few years, but now with an official US release [before it was only found in Japan] more people will be bale to discover this gem. It's nothing new or amazing, but a welcome track on an album that is already packed with great tracks.

New Found Glory has come a long way since 1997, but they've always been a constant figure in the pop punk scene. Their music plays like a soundtrack for anyone starting at 15 years old and running into your mid twenties. Having found the band when they were early, it feels like we've grown up together in a way. We've questions love, lost those close to us, scorned ex lovers, and realized maybe we're the ones who need to change all in the last few years. Here's to hoping it won't be too long before New Found Glory can bring us another chapter of their amazing career.

GRADE: 8.5/10