"Superman," from their second album Oz Factor (1996) is slowed-down on the re-recorded version, allowing the melody to stick out a bit more. The original version channeled their inner Green Day.
The opening bone-crushing chords of the 2002 hit "Up All Night," the borderline ska-ish upstrokes that follow in the verses, and an acoustic-aided bridge make this well-rounded rocker one of the true highlights of their career. The new version isn't much different, as it remains an anthem for those restless youths (and those who live to be forever young) who would happily answer Russo's in-song question, "What's wrong with kickin' it when you're bored and lit?"
Nothing, you say? Well, then "smoke some cigarettes" and "fire up another roach" as you watch "the sun come up again," and again...and so on.
Speaking of bone-crushing, "Celebration Song," from 2005's Here's To The Mourning may be the heaviest song UL ever recorded, with dropped D tuned guitars and bass, and explosive riffs that would make the Deftones smile. That album marked a big change for the band's sound, and arguably its best moments are included here.
Pretty much all of the fan favorites are included on The Hit List, including their number one hit "Seein' Red," (from 2002's Elva CD). Though "Mean Girl" or "Holiday" could've made the cut — perhaps at the expense of a so-so track like "Rescue Me," also from Elva. But it is worth noting that some of the choice cuts here are collaborations (at least on the lyric sheet) with some familiar names.
Linda Perry, a very in-demand songwriter/producer who fronted early 1990s one-hit wonders 4 Non Blondes and has since worked with the likes of Christina Aguilera, Ziggy Marley, Fischerspooner, and Courtney Love co-wrote the Top 5 hit "Save Me."
Russo's girlfriend Aimee Allen also co-wrote the lyrics to this song, as well as most other tracks on the album it's taken from, Here's To The Mourning. Allen has been getting more exposure in her own right as of late. Lupe Fiasco incorporated her "Stripper Friends" into hit single "We All Want The Same Thing" this year, and her song "Cooties" appears on the soundtrack to this year's popular remake of the 1988 movie Hairspray.
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