Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991–1997)
Greatest hits album by
Helmet
ReleasedJanuary 27, 2004 (2004-01-27)
GenreAlternative metal, post-hardcore, noise rock
Length70:58
LabelInterscope
ProducerVarious Producers, Page Hamilton
Helmet chronology
Aftertaste
(1997)		 Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991–1997)
(2004)		 Size Matters
(2004)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[2]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[3]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[4]

Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991–1997) is a compilation album of Helmet in its original form, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Page Hamilton, bassist Henry Bogdan, drummer John Stanier, and guitarists Peter Mengede (1989–1993) and Rob Echeverria (1994–1996).

The title states the years 1991–1997, presumably because 1991 is the year that Interscope rereleased Strap It On; however, it was first released in 1990 on Amphetamine Reptile Records.

Background

The compilation was originally scheduled to be released in late 2003, with tentative release dates of September 23, 2003, and then November 4, 2003 being given to the press.[5] When the compilation was first announced on August 22, 2003, it was reported that the band's original lineup would be reuniting for a tour in conjunction with the compilation's release.[6] However, later that month, Hamilton denied reports that Helmet were reuniting.[7] By the time the compilation was eventually released in January 2004, the band had reformed with a mostly new lineup, and work had begun on an Helmet album, Size Matters, which would be released later that year.

The compilation's track listing was selected by Hamilton.

Critical reception

Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991–1997) received a positive reaction from critics. In their December 2004 review, Deseret News gave the album four out of five stars, reflecting, "In six years Helmet laid the foundation for the nu-metal movement that features Tool, Lamb of God, Slipknot and Korn. Helmet leader Paige Hamilton has since reorganized the band, but the classic Helmet will always be the standout. 'Repetition', 'Bad Mood', 'Iron Head' and the ever-popular 'Just Another Victim' (performed with Everlast's band House of Pain) give this compilation some power. 'Overrated', 'Sinatra' and the drawl of 'Milquetoast' will have Helmet fans reliving the glorious past."[8]

Michael Endelman of Entertainment Weekly gave it an A− in March 2004, writing, "Unsung is right. Without this underground metal-punk quartet, we wouldn’t have the subterranean guitar chunk and drum thunder of nu-metal superstars like Linkin Park. Imagine roaring rage delivered with laser-guided precision."[3]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Page Hamilton, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Original album (year)Length
1."Repetition" Strap It On (1990)3:00
2."FBLA" Strap It On (1990)2:40
3."Bad Mood" Strap It On (1990)2:15
4."Sinatra" Strap It On (1990)4:31
5."In the Meantime" Meantime (1992)3:08
6."Ironhead" Meantime (1992)3:22
7."Give It" Meantime (1992)4:17
8."Unsung" Meantime (1992)3:57
9."Better" Meantime (1992)3:10
10."Just Another Victim" (feat. House of Pain)Helmet and House of PainJudgment Night soundtrack (1993)4:20
11."Wilma's Rainbow" Betty (1994)3:53
12."I Know" Betty (1994)3:41
13."Milquetoast" Betty (1994)3:53
14."Rollo"Henry Bogdan, HamiltonBetty (1994)2:38
15."Overrated" Betty (1994)2:40
16."Disagreeable" Feeling Minnesota soundtrack3:52
17."Pure" Aftertaste (1997)3:32
18."Renovation"John Stanier, Bogdan, HamiltonAftertaste (1997)2:55
19."Like I Care" Aftertaste (1997)3:19
20."Driving Nowhere" Aftertaste (1997)4:19
21."Exactly What You Wanted" Aftertaste (1997)2:36
Total length:70:58

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Unsung: The Best of Helmet > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  2. ↑ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2006). "Helmet". Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4 (4th ed.). MUZE. pp. 233–234. ISBN 978-0-19-531373-4.
  3. 1 2 Endelman, Michael. "Unsung: The Best of Helmet". Entertainment Weekly. March 2004. pg. 68, cited March 18, 2010
  4. ↑ Kot, Greg (2004). "Helmet". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 374. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  5. ↑ "Page Hamilton Straps on a New Helmet Lineup for LP, Tour". MTV.
  6. ↑ "Page Hamilton Straps on a New Helmet Lineup for LP, Tour". MTV.
  7. ↑ "Helmet 'Best Of' A Go; Reunion, No". Billboard.
  8. ↑ "Oodles of greatest hits albums". 10 December 2004.
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