Greatest Hits (Half Japanese album)

Half Japanese's Greatest Hits, which was the band's first compilation album, was released on March 13, 1995,[1] after more than twenty years of activity as a band.[2] By the time it came out, the band had gained an international fan base[1] and it had already released thirteen studio albums; since the release of the compilation, there have been three more.[3] Half Japanese later released two more compilation albums.[4]

Greatest Hits is two discs and has at least one song from each album: from 1/2 Gentlemen/Not Beasts, with the band's original set, to Boo! Live in Europe 1992.[1] The album features notable guests such as John Zorn and Eugene Chadbourne.[5]

There are strong differences in the styles as well as the sound fidelity between the songs.[1] It is possible to find noise and electronic tracks, such as the ones from 1/2 Gentlemen/Not Beasts; punk rock songs, like those from Charmed Life; experimental songs, such as those from The Band That Would Be King as well as more straightforward rock from other releases.[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link
Entertainment Weekly	(Favourable) link

Ned Raggett from Allmusic gave the album 4.5 stars of 5 calling it the best way to start with Half Japanese given the scattered discography of the band. He praised the songs "King Kong", "Amazing Clock" and "Identical Twins" as well as "How to Play Guitar", which, according to him, makes for a great final touch.[1]

The album was included in Blender's top 100 indie rock albums, where it was called "undeniably difficult and triumphantly messy".[6]

All songs written by Jad Fair unless indicated.

The people involved in the album are from the band's different line ups:[5]

• Terry Adams – piano
• Pippin Barnett – drums
• Hank Beckmeyer – bass guitar, guitar, producer
• George Cartwright – saxophone
• Eugene Chadbourne – guitar, harmonica, vocals on "Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)"
• Byron Coley – liner notes
• David Doris – saxophone
• John Dreyfuss – saxophone
• Rick Dreyfuss – drums
• David Fair – guitar, percussion, vocals, liner notes
• Jad Fair – guitar, harmonica, vocals, producer
• Danny Finney – saxophone
• Don Fleming – guitar, vocals
• Tim Foljahn – guitar
• Fred Frith – guitar
• Mick Hobbs – guitar
• Scott Jarvis – drums
• Mark Jickling – guitar
• Steve Johnson – guitar
• Rob Kennedy – bass guitar
• Kramer – organ, bass guitar, guitar, keyboards, producer
• Eppo Krol – producer
• Richard Labrie – drums
• David Licht – conga
• Joe Martinelli – drums
• Lisa Mednick – keyboards
• Gilles V. Rieder – drums, producer
• Rebby Sharp – guitar
• John Sluggett – guitar
• Jay Spiegel – drums
• Maureen Tucker – drums, producer
• Jason Willett – bass guitar
• Gary Windo – saxophone
• Howard Wuelfing – bass guitar
• Lana Zabko – saxophone
• Don Zientara – producer
• John Zorn – saxophone