Green Day - 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hour

This compilation of early indie work (1989's 1000 Hours EP, 1990's Slappy EP, and 1990's 39/Smooth LP) was a strong indicator of things to come for Green Day. Recorded on shoestring budgets, these recordings out-rocked most of the wannabe punk records that flooded record stores at the time. From the first strains of the opener, "At the Library," Green Day are off on a fast, fun ride. Some of the band's best tracks are from these early sessions--"Don't Leave Me," "Dry Ice," "16," "Rest," and "Paper Lanterns," to name only a few. It's a hook-filled record with three-chord wonders at every turn, anchored by Armstrong's snotty-boy vocals. He captures youthful yearning, variously spitting lyrics like "I feel forgotten / Feel like rotting" and then musing out loud, "What is it about you that I adore?" Simply some of the catchiest punk rock ever made. --Lorry Fleming