They sat on these 22 LP outtakes, demos, and live recordings of unknown songs all the past decade? Why!? OK, then, releasing a two-CD compendium with all the lyrics and leader Justin Sullivan's notes in the booklet is the right way to go. And, like their typically amazing 1994 import, B-Sides and Abandoned Tracks, Lost Songs is as much a must-have as their better, proper LPs. So far removed from some malnourished, cobbled-out-of-stray-dogs cash-in, each of these epics is fully realized and ponderous (all new save for a reworked, savory remix of Strange Brotherhood's Over the Wire and Song to the Men of England). They're as full as ever of Sullivan's hyper-intelligent, no-bullsh*t, profoundly human observations and post-punk, tuneful gifts. The whole buzz underneath the fabulous chugger Southwest (a rare B-side from Wonderful Way to Go), with its cogent chorus hook of, "I'd drown your violence in a sea of blood!," is the sort of amazingly powerful stuff Sullivan seems to have coming out of pockets in his jacket! And no two songs are cut from the same mold, yet it always sounds so recognizable. Witness the instant classic Far Better Thing, bizarrely left off 1990's Impurity, when any other band would have made it their emphasis single! Or the, ominous, bare Rainy Night 65. Or the live jump of BD7. If you've not already bought a copy of 2000's Eight, 1998's Strange Brotherhood, or 1993's The Love of Hopeless Causes, you're better off starting there (if not the first three hot LPs, 1984-1986). But really, you could start with just about anything with NMA's name on it. And fan-considering collections such as this are an assist. ~ Jack Rabid, Rovi

1		Brother
2		Sunset
3		Southwest
4		Song to the Men of England
5		Refugee
6		Higher Wall
7		Far Better Thing
8		Rainy Night
9		Caslen
10		BDT
11		F (Sharp) NY
12		See You in Hell
13		Freedom '91
14		Wanting
15		Still Here
16		If You Can't Save Me
17		Falling
18		Trees in Winter
19		Knife
20		Burning Season
21		Coming Up
22		Over the Wire [French Remix]