The Collection II (1994) works well as both a companion to the 15-track Collection (1991) or simply a stand-alone single CD overview of the folky-gone-progressive rockers Gryphon. While the primary source for these 19 cuts are the band's first four long players: Gryphon (1973) , Midnight Mushrumps (1974), Red Queen to Gryphon Three (1974), and Raindance (1975), also included are the otherwise unavailable "Spies," "Failing to Demonstrate the Necessarily...," "Something to Do With T.A.R.D.I.S.," and "Ashes." Much in the same vein as their contemporaries the Incredible String Band and Pentangle, Gryphon's sound is an eclectic blend of whimsical acoustic folk and more complex, electric progressive rock. The eponymously titled Gryphon is well represented with nearly half the original album's dozen sides included here. Prominent among these are the brief yet intricate "Tea Wrecks," the regal "Sir Gavin Grimbold," the spirited "Three Jolly Butchers," as well as "Crossing the Stiles" -- the sole track to have been left off of the Gryphon/Midnight Mushrumps (1996) double-play CD. Representing the Midnight Mushrumps album are the stately and melodic "Last Flash of the Gaberdine Taylor" and the involved "Gulland Rock," as well as the Baroque-flavored "Dubbel Dutch." Gryphon's next release, the thematic Red Queen to Gryphon Three, is a much more densely constructed effort. While the entire record consists of four extended movements, due to the constraints of time, only three are excerpted here. Although none of the works are presented in their entirety, these portions are adequate enough to relate the album's strength and sonically realize thematic chess-playing parallels on which Red Queen to Gryphon Three was devised. Raindance -- the final long player represented on Collection II -- allowed Gryphon to return to shorter compositions, although they retained much of their prog rock musicality. Four of the platter's nine numbers are here, including the funky, up-tempo clavinet-driven opener "Down the Dog" and the diminutive instrumental "Le Cambrioleur Est dans le Mouchoir." According to the liner notes the four previously unearthed tunes were excavated during a 1990s tape vault excavation. The tunes were recorded and readied for release, though they remained unheard until now. Hardcore enthusiasts will want to find Collection II if for no other reason than the availability of both "Crossing the Stiles" and the bonus materials. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
Both compilations collect all the early singles and the entire Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood album, and are meant to complement Walk Among Us (not represented because Warner Bros. owns the rights) and Legacy of Brutality with little overlap. All the early singles are supposed to be represented, although alternative versions of some songs are used instead of the original releases.
Album information
Collection II is controversial because six of the tracks are not songs the Misfits recorded as a functioning band. They were recorded in 1986, several years after the Misfits broke up, by Glenn Danzig and Samhain bassist Eerie Von for a sequel to Walk Among Us.
"Cough/Cool" uses the drum track of the original Misfits version, but Danzig overdubbed guitar and drum machine tracks and new vocals. The song originally had no guitar at all, and was recorded when the Misfits were a three-piece of keyboards, bass and drums. The four Walk Among Us-era tracks ("Hate Breeders", "Braineaters", "Nike-A-Go-Go", and "Devil's Whorehouse") included on Collection II were also recorded at the same session, and featured no participation by any other Misfits. Jerry Only is adamant that "Braineaters" was recorded only once by the Misfits. "Mephisto Waltz" was rehearsed by the Misfits but never recorded by the band.
The rest of the songs are legitimate, and mark the first time many of them saw release on compact disc.
"We Are 138" and "Attitude" are the tracks from the Bullet EP that were not present on Collection I. There is very little difference between these and the mixes on the Static Age LP.
"We Are 138" has many rumored meanings. But, none has been confirmed. Glenn Danzig is supposedly the only Misfits member who knows the meaning.
"Last Caress" is from the Beware EP. This mix, exclusive to this compilation and not included on the box set, is characterized by its use of reverb and more prominent guitar.
"Return of the Fly" is a song recorded at the same time as the above three during the Static Age sessions, but had previously only been available via bootlegs.
"Children In Heat" is taken from the Horror BusinessEP. It was originally conceived as the second part of a medley with "Teenagers From Mars," and was mixed together with that song for the Horror Business EP. The engineer's introduction at the beginning of "Teenagers From Mars," announcing the take, mentions both songs. For the Beware EP, the intro was kept, even though "Children In Heat" was replaced by "Last Caress." The intro was also kept for Collection I, even though "Children In Heat" was nowhere to be found.
"Rat Fink" is taken from the Night Of The Living Dead EP, and, like "Children In Heat," was the only song of the EP left off Collection I. "Rat Fink " is also the only cover (by Allan Sherman) the Misfits ever recorded.
"Horror Hotel" is the final 3 Hits From Hell track re-released to CD.
"Halloween" and "Halloween II" are taken from the Halloween 7-inch. These tracks were recorded during sessions for Walk Among Us and are alternate versions of the tracks included on Legacy of Brutality and the aborted 12 Hits From Hell album. Unlike songs such as "Horror Hotel", "Halloween" and "Halloween II" do not reference the movies of the same name. Instead, they point to the darker pagan undertones Danzig would pursue later with Samhain.
"We Bite" is taken from the Die, Die My Darling EP, which is also included on the Earth A.D. CD.
"Queen Wasp," "Demonomania," "Hellhound," and "Bloodfeast" are the remaining Earth A.D. tracks not included in Collection I.
Track listing
All songs written by Glenn Danzig except where noted.
