Millencolin ring in their 20th anniversary with the B-sides and rarities collection
The Melancholy Connection, a kind of spiritual successor to 1999's
The Melancholy Collection. Gathering up assorted B-sides from the years after the release of their breakout album,
Pennybridge Pioneers, the collection sheds some light on some of
Millencolin's lesser-known work from a period that found them transitioning from their driving skatepunk sound into a more well-rounded rock band. And as if a B-side collection weren't enough to rope in longtime fans, the album also contains two new tracks, the effervescent "Carry You" and the
Bad Religion-esque "Out from Nowhere," both of which show that the band hasn't lost its knack for writing driving, infectious punk. As an added bit of fan service, the compilation also comes with the DVD, A Pennybridge Production, a documentary that transports viewers back to the recording of
Pennybridge Pioneers with archival footage shot by the bandmembers themselves while in the studio, as well as some live performances of the songs from the album. While all of this might not be of much use to the uninitiated, who might be better off just buying
Pennybridge itself, the set will be a real treat for
Millencolin devotees who are looking for something new to dig into while they wait with bated breath for a new album. ~ Gregory Heaney