ACCESSORIES

This is a double disc compilation of demos, live songs, previously unreleased tracks and covers. The first disc (The B-Sides) is exactly that, songs that were the b-sides of singles that they have released over the years.They are alternative versions of existing songs, as well as covers, demos and live tracks.The second disc (The Rarities) consists of 8 songs from "Nighttime Birds" that were re-mixed demos. Re-mixed by EROC no less. The final 5 tracks are demos from "How To Measure A Planet ?". So we do get some tracks that are on here more than once, but hey this is for THE GATHERING fans who can't get enough.

The first highlight for me on the first disc is "Leaves" recorded live in 1995, actually this was part of the first live recordings after Anneke joined the group.This is a powerful song with lots of atmosphere and some great guitar 3 1/2 minutes in. "Third Chance" was the first song Anneke sung while she did THE GATHERING audition back in the spring of 1994. The band says "She did an amazing job, and she was in the band 10 seconds after she started singing !" Another highlight is the cover of "When The Sun Hits" a SLOWDRIVE cover,and yes i'm a fan of theirs. Great song with Post-Rock style guitars, riffs, and background synths.This is their best cover in my opinion. By the way the band describes SLOWDRIVE's music as "great psychedelic, trippy rock, to float away with !" "Confusion" is an emotional and fantastic tune ! It's a beautiful dreamy song with a nice lazy guitar solo 2 minutes in. EROC did a beautiful job mixing this one as well. "Life Is What You Make It" is a TALK TALK cover and is a slower version as they purposely tried to play it in a way TALK TALK sounded on their last two albums ("Laughing Stock" and "Spirit Of Eden"). So it became more empty, relaxed and moody. Nice.

The second disc begins with a word in the liner notes from EROC who took on this job without hearing anything the band had recorded. He soon found out that this young band obviously had that "special something". He thoroughly enjoyed working with them and felt "enriched" by the experience. "New Moon, Different Day" sounds better than the studio version. Slower paced as it builds 2 1/2 minutes in to a powerful sound. Yeah, they're kicking it good now ! This contrast continues. "The Earth Is My Witness" features a good contrast as well. Check out Anneke's vocals, and the riffs too. "Nighttime Birds" is another slower but powerful song. I can't get enough of this song. I was singing it in my head even this morning down on the beach. "On Most Surfaces" is probably my favourite on this disc. Heavy riffs start to rise from the depths as the guitar screams and then Anneke's otherwordly vocals make everything seem all right. "Probably Built In The Fifties" does sound cool ! It's a heavy tune with a melody of bass and drums that goes on for some time. Great sound to this one."Travel" is my favourite of the "How To Measure A Planet ?" songs. Some good atmosphere in this one with a great heavy sound. It shifts into a higher gear late with the bass and drums shining brightly.

I really like this compilation but also know that this is something I could live without. I don't think I could live without their amazing studio records though. 3.5 stars as this is non-essential.