by MacKenzie Wilson
The Singles is an appropriate look back at one of England's favorite rock acts, Feeder, who has gone on to sell more than three million albums and play shows alongside U2, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Rolling Stones. With such success, Feeder suffered their biggest loss in 2002 when drummer Jon Lee took his own life. Surviving that alone could have ended it all, but the passion of Feeder's songs allowed the trio to keep it together for the long haul. The Singles is the heart of all of that and a warm look at where they're going. Starting with their 1997 debut, Polythene, and closing out with 2003's heartbreaking Comfort in Sound, The Singles features 17 quality tracks as well as three brand-new songs produced by Stephen Street (the Smiths, Blur, Kaiser Chiefs). Sure, it would have been nice if it was sequenced according to release date, but the track listing is a cohesive mix of heartbreak, reflection, and introspection. What was once a post-grunge act fueled by angst is now a well-respected rock band with a collection of quality songs. For fans old and new, The Singles couldn't have said it any better.