It's kind of ironic that MxPx is putting out a greatest hits album, when they have never had a hit with commercial radio. Nevertheless, this album seems like MxPx is just putting out another CD to keep fans happy, since it's been two years since the release of "The Ever Passing Moment."
"Ten Years and Running" features two brand new songs: "My Mistake" and "Running Away," along with remixes of 14 old ones, the original versions of "Broken Bones" and "My Life Story," and a remake of "Punk Rawk Show." Like past MxPx albums, such as "At the Show" or "Let It Happen," it tends to be higher on quantity than quality.
"Ten Years and Running" starts with a remake of "Punk Rawk Show," which adds some new twists to the song. However, while it is an MxPx standard, it is still the most overrated and overplayed MxPx song next to "Chick Magnet," which is obviously also on this recording.
As for the two new songs, they're definitely interesting, but they're nothing to write home about. It's actually kind of strange to have new songs on a greatest hits album.
MxPx definitely should get some props for having the old songs remixed, but the remixes are really hit or miss. For example, "Teenage Politics" is significantly improved with the remixing, but the remixing on parts of "GSF" ruins some of its original feel. The remixing does tighten up some songs by balancing levels and adding reverb, but the remixes of certain songs like "Let It Happen" are also stripped of their rawness.
The song selection is definitely debatable as with any greatest hits recording. Perhaps fan input would have guaranteed listener contentment. Still the songs on "Ten Years and Running" are chosen reasonably well. It's good to see three relatively obscure songs make the greatest hits: "The Broken Bones," "Let It Happen" and "Lonesome Town." However, at the same time "Rock & Roll Girl" probably doesn't belong on this album.
Despite some criticism of "Ten Years and Running," the average MxPx fan can be content with this album. Yet the diehard listener knows they can do so much better. MxPx's greatest hits may be great, but face it: it's still old material. Hopefully MxPx will realize that keeping fans happy just means putting out new material.
C+
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis May 2002Reviewed by Travis PersaudThis is MxPx's "greatest hits" album, featuring re-mastered tracks, and two brand new songs on Tooth And Nail Records. Has it been ten years already? Yes, your favourite pop-punk is back with their "greatest hits" album, commemorating ten years as a band. This album features nineteen tracks, all re-mastered and polished, along with two brand new songs, "My Mistake" and "Running Away". If that…Art for the Ears 2002Reviewed by Marco PovervestTen years went by so it was time for a compilation CD covering the history of the band. And it's a not a cheap "we pick two songs from each album" kinda disc. No, besides two new tunes, this album contains a remake of the classic Punk Rawk Show while fourteen songs were remixed by Tim Palmer. One thing that strikes me is that it all sounds so MxPx... I mean, ten years went by and whether you pick…More from MxPx
1996Life In General
1995Teenage Politics
1998Let It Happen
2003Before Everything & After
1999At the Show
2005Panic
